Fundamentals of Database Development (with Delphi) − DB/1

Chapter one of the free Delphi database online course. Delphi as the database programming tool, Data Access withDelphi...just a few words, Building a new MS Access database.

Many Delphi beginners start with projects like "My Notepad" when beginning programming with Delphi,other developers spend nights and days in writing various multimedia and graphics applications, but allof them will sunner or later realize that 90% of today's software interacts with some data stored insome way.

There's no doubt about it, Delphi has powerful and reliable data−management capabilities. Applicationdevelopers building the next generation of business software are attracted to Delphi for severalreasons. With Delphi we can create software that operates with just about all types of desktopdatabases like Paradox, dBase or MS Access. We can also use Delphi to build solutions forclient−server development.

Data Access with Delphi...just a few wordsDelphi ships with more than 40 prebuilt database components and provides a visual programmingenvironment that includes an integrated code editor, Database Form wizard that speeds up steps tocreate a browsable data form and Data Module Designer that can be used to share data access amongmultiple forms. Several other database specialized tools are also provided with Delphi to help us codefaster and easier.

The Data Access page of the Components Palette provides components used to connect to a datasource. In the Data Controls page, data aware components are ones that (after Delphi connects to adatabase) can be use to retreive and send data to or from a database. The components on the ADOpage use ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) to access the database information through OLEDB. Thecomponents on the InterBase page access an InterBase database directly.

Don't runawayDatabase programming, of course, is not trivial. In this course we will try to bring closer some of thetechniques, problems and solutions to database programming with Delphi along with all the secrets ithides from us.Before we move on to using various data components/tools in Delphi we should first see some of theconcepts of database design and try to build a simple database.

Before we start interacting with databases using Delphi, it is a good idea to get a feel what moderndatabases are about.When you think of a word database you should generally think of any type of data stored inside acomputer − even a SomeFile.pas file (code to some Delphi unit) is some kind of database. Anothertype of database is a Word document or a simple .ini file. To access an .ini file we generally useroutines and techniques for typed or untyped files.

Building a modern database application requires us to think of data in a relational way. The basic ideabehind the relational model is that a database consists of a series of tables (or relations) that can bemanipulated using operations that return tables or so−called views. Simply put, a database is bestdescribed as a collection of related data. A database may include many different tables. Tables arelike grids where columns are called fields and rows are called ... rows.

To fully address the concepts of database design and relational model we would need an extra onlinecourse. For a great overview check out the Fundamentals of Relational Database Design.

New...DatabaseSince this course will primarily focus on ADO/Access Delphi approach to database programming wewill now see how to create a new .mdb database in MS Access.

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If you have never built a database with MS Access, go see MS Access tutorials for a great info.

I hope you know that on this site there is a Members Area where Delphi developers can upload theirfree code applications and components. Each member has it's name, an email address and a possiblya web page. If we would like to keep track of every application posted to this community we couldassemble a database of three tables: Applications (general information about an application), Authors(who made the application) and Types (what kind of app is it). Let's see how to do just that:

Start Access and create a blank database named aboutdelphi.mdb. Create three tables in Design view:Applications, Authors and Types.Let's see the structure of those tables:

The Applications table contains fields that match the application description requirements: Name,Description, Author, Type, Size, Cost, DateUpl and Picture. Name, Description, Author and Type fieldscontain Text data, 50 characters by default. The Size filed is of a Number (Single) type − used to storethe size of a file in Kb. The Cost field is a Currency field − if the app is shareware or commercial. TheDateUpl field is a date/time value. The Picture is of a OLE Object type and will hold an (optional)picture for an application. Let the filed Name be the primary key.

The Authors table contains fields that match the application author requirements: AuthorName, Emailand Web. All the fields contain character data (50 chars by default). Let the filed AuthorName be theprimary key.

The Types table contains only one field: TypeName which is the primary key for this table. This tablewill be used to store the type of application (graphical, multimedia, database, ...)

We now only have to set up a relation in the relationships window and the database is ready.

Both relations should "Enforce Referential Integrity" with only "Cascade Update Related Records"check on.

Filling some dataIn order to have some "dummy" data in a database fill in the Types table with the following 4 records:'Game','Database','Internet','Graphics'. This values will be used when choosing the type of theapplication stored in the Applications table. Next, add one row to the Authors table: 'Delphi Guide','delphi.guide@about.com', 'http://delphi.about.com'. Finally let the only one row in the Applicationstable look like: 'Zoom', 'Zooming the Destop', 'Delphi Guide', 'Graphics', 10, 0, 02/20/2001. For themoment leave the last field (Picture) empty.

What to do with this "blank" database...I'll show you that in the following chapters of this course.

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Connecting to a database. BDE? ADO? − DB/2

Chapter two of the free Delphi database online course. How to connect to an Access database − the UDL file? Lookingforward: the smallest ADO example.

As shown in the previous chapter of this course, a database is a collection of one or more tables thatstore data in a structured format. These tables, contain data that is represented by rows and fields.When a database consists of two or more tables, these tables generally contain separate yet relateddata. MS Access, Interbase or SQL Server use a single file (Access, the *.mdb file) that represents theentire database. On the other hand, Paradox and dBase databases are defined with separate tablesand files that represent indexes and table relations. All the files needed to describe a Paradoxdatabase are usually stored in a single directory. Delphi, of course, has means of working with bothapproaches.

With Delphi, we can connect to different types of databases: local or client/server (remote server)database. Local databases are stored on your local drive or on a local area network. Remote databaseservers usually reside on a remote machine. Types of local databases are Paradox, dBase and MSAccess. Types of client/server databases are MS SQL Server, Interbase or Oracle.Local databases are often called single−tiered databases. A single−tiered database is a database inwhich any changes, such as editing the data, inserting records, or deleting records − happenimmediately. Single−tiered databases are limited in how much data the tables can hold and the numberof users your application can support. When the database information includes complicatedrelationships between several tables, or when the number of clients grows, you may want to use atwo−tiered or multi−tiered application. Client applications run on local machines; the application serveris typically on a server, and the database itself might be on another server. The idea behind themulti−tier architecture is that client applications can be very small because the application servers domost of the work. This enables you to write what are called thin−client applications.

When we write a database application in Delphi, we need to use some database engine to access adata in a database. The database engine permits you to concentrate on what data you want to access,instead of how to access it. From the first version, Delphi provides database developers with the BDE(Borland Database Engine). Beside the BDE, Delphi from the fifth version supports Microsoft ADOdatabase interface.

This course will primarily focus on MS Access local database producing the single−tiered application.

The BDE is a common data access layer for all of Borland's products, including Delphi and C++Builder.The BDE consists of a collection of DLLs and utilities. The beauty of the BDE is the fact that all of thedata manipulation is considered "transparent" to the developer. BDE comes with a set of drivers thatenables your application to talk to several different types of databases. These drivers translatehigh−level database commands (such as open or post) and tasks (record locking or SQL construction)into commands specific to a particular database type: Paradox, dBASE, MS Access or any ODBC datasource. The BDE API (Application Programming Interface) consists of more than 200 procedures andfunctions, which are available through the BDE unit. Fortunately, you almost never need to call any ofthese routines directly. Instead, you use the BDE through the VCL's data access components, whichare found on the Data Access page of Component Palette. To access the particular database theapplication only needs to know the Alias for the database and it will have access to all data in thatdatabase. The alias is set up in the BDE Administrator and specifies driver parameters and databaselocations.The BDE ships with a collection of database drivers, allowing access to a wide variety of data sources.The standard (native) BDE drivers include Paradox, dBase, MS Access, ASCII text. Of course, anyODBC driver can also be used by the BDE through the ODBC Administrator.

Delphi applications that use the BDE to access databases require that you distribute the BDE with theapplication. When deploying the BDE with an application, you must use InstallShield Express or

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another Borland certified installation program.

The BDE has several advantages as well as disadvantages as a database engine. It's not my intentionto discuss about why and when you should (or not) use the BDE approach over some non−BDEtechnique.

Since this course is about ADO/MSAccess the rest of the course will focus on this non−BDE databaseapproach.

As stated in the Introducing ADO in Delphi article, ADO is a set of COM components (DLLs) that allowyou to access databases as well as e−mail and file systems. Applications built with ADO componentsdon't require the BDE.To access any kind of database with ADO, you'll of course need to have ADO/OLE DB libraries.Everything you need to use ADO is probably already on your computer: the files are distributed byMicrosoft as a part of Windows 98/2000. If you or your client use Windows 95 or Windows NT you willprobably need to distribute and install the ADO engine. Delphi 5's CD includes an installation of MDAC− Microsoft Data Access Components. You should always make sure to have the latest version, whichis available from Microsoft. The Microsoft Data Access Components are the key technologies thatenable Universal Data Access. They include ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), OLE DB, and OpenDatabase Connectivity (ODBC).Note: to install correctly on a Windows 95 computer, MDAC requires that DCOM95 be installed. MDACinstalls components that rely on DLLs installed by DCOM95 in order to register correctly. Note thatDCOM95 is not required on a Windows NT 4.0. In some cases, DCOM may not be installed on aWindows 98 computer. If it has not been installed, then DCOM98 should be installed prior to theinstallation of MDAC.

Without to much talking about OLE DB and ADO let's move on to more practical topics.

ADO ObjectsThe ADO programming model is built around several ADO objects that provide you with the productivemeans for accessing all kinds of data sources. These objects provide the functionality to connect todata sources, query and update record sets, and report errors. Delphi, through several VCLcomponents provides wrapper components to access those objects. Let's see what are some of theObjects ADO works with:

The Connection object represents a connection to the data source with the connection strings. InBDE/Delphi a Connection object is a combination of the Database and Session components.

The Command object enables us to operate on a data source. Ir represents a command (also knownas a query or statement) that can be processed to add, delete, query or update the data in a database.

The Recordset object is a result of a Query command. You can think of a Recordset as a Delphi Tableor Query component. Each row that the Recordset returns consists of multiple Field objects.

Several other objects like: the Field object, the Parameter Object and the Error object also exist in ADOmodel − will get back to them in the following chapters of this course.

Before going on to the brief explanation of each component in AdoExpress collection, let's first see howto connect to an Access database. Of course, we will be connecting to our AboutDelphi.mdb sampledatabase.

Delphi (5) ADO support is concentrated in the ADOExpress components on the ADO tab of thecomponent palette. Several other database enabled components will be used through this course. Forthe moment we will focus on the minimal set of components needed to access an Access databasewith ADO.

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Start Delphi, this will open a new application with one blank form.

In order to be able to access data in an Access database with ADO and Delphi, you must add at leastthree data aware components to our project. First, the DBGrid on the DataControls component page −used to browse through the records retrieved from a table or by a query. Second, the DataSource(DataAccess Page) used to provide a link between a dataset and DBGrid component on a form thatenable display, navigation, and editing of the data underlying the dataset. And finally the ADOTable(ADO page) that represents a table retrieved from an ADO data store. Drop all of them on a form. Letthe names be the default one. The form should look something like:

If you run the application now, nothing is displayed in a Grid − of course, we did nothing to reallyconnect to a database. Note just one more thing: only the Grid is displayed, the rest two componentare controls − unvisible to the user.

Link between componentsIn order to display some data from a database we have to link all three components together. Using theObject Inspector, set the following:

DBGrid1.DataSource = DataSource1DataSource1.DataSet = ADOTable1

We have now reached the hard part, to really get the data from our database we have to build aConnectionString. This string indicates where the database is physically stored and how we areaccessing it. When you double click the ellipsis button at the ConnectionString property of theAdoTable component you get the next dialog box:

When building a connection string we have two choices: use the Data Link File (.UDL) or build aconnection string by hand. Let's build it. Press the Build button − this pops up the Data Link Propertiesdialog. This dialog has 4 pages. The Provider tab allows you to specify the provider − select theMicrosoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider. The Next button leads us to the second page: Connection. Selectthe ellipsis button to browse for our database (AboutDelphi.mdb). Press the Test Connection button tosee if the connection is successful − it should be. Leave all the other pages as they are. Finally, clickon OK to close the Data Link Properties dialog, again OK to close the ConnectionString dialog − the

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connection string is stored in the ConnectionString property of the ADTTable component. Theconnection string should look something like:

Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=C:\!gajba\About\aboutdelphi.mdb;Persist Security Info=False

To finish, we have to set the table name that is to be accessed by the ADOTable component − againuse the Object Inspector.

ADOTable1.TableName = Applications

If you want to see the data at design time use the ADOTable Active property − set it to True.

Ha! If you have done all the steps you now see the only one record (row) in the Applications table.When you start the application you can even change the data in the database. Of course, you cannotdo much more − this is the simplest ADO example I could think of.

This concludes this chapter. In the next chapter we will address all the ADO component provided withDelphi and how they communicate with the rest data−aware components to crate a powerfull Delphidatabase application.

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Pictures inside a database − DB/3

Chapter three of the free Delphi database online course. Displaying images (BMP, JPEG, ...) inside an Access databasewith ADO and Delphi.

These days developing database applications requires more than just operating with textual or numericdata. If you are, for example, developing an Internet/intranet or multimedia based application,frequently there is a need to display pictures along with text from a database.

In this third chapter of the Delphi database course, we'll see how to pull out and display the graphicaldata (images) inside an Access database with ADO. Don't be worried with the fact that working withimages inside an Access database requires more database programming skills than this course hasprovided so far. Let's pretend that we know more to get more.

If you have followed this course from the beginning (specially the second chapter), you know how toconnect to a database and display the Applications (from our working aboutdelphi.mdb database) tablein a DBGrid. Remember, we used 3 data components: DBGrid, ADOTable and DataSource to get anddisplay the data from the Applications table.Back in the first chapter when we created our database, the last filed in the Applications table was leftblank (after filling our database with some dummy data). The last field has the name Picture and is ofthe OLE object type.

If you scroll right to the last column of the DBGrid you'll see something like:

When using MS Access, we can store images (and other large data objects such as sound or video) ina field that has the OLE object type. This type of data is referred to as a Binary Large Object Bitmap(BLOB).

Naturally when working with images, several types of picture formats are available. The mostcommonly used include JPEG, GIF and BMP. JPEG format has proven to be widely accepted by Webmasters because of the small amount of storage required (in other words JPEGs are smaller thanBMPs in bytes).

Delphi, of course, has means of handling BMP, GIF and JPEG graphic formats. The rest of this articlewill deal with JPEG file formats.

Storing pictures in AccessBefore going on to discussion about displaying the image inside a table within a Delphi form, we needto add some graphical data to our database.

Start Access and open the aboutdelphi.mdb database. Open the Applications table (it should have onerow of data) and select the Picture field.

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To add an image do the following:

1. Select Insert|Object... this will display the Insert Object dialog box.

2. Click on the Browse button, this pops up the Browse open dialog. Note: you probably have some.jpg files on your computer, so you could use those, or if you have Win 98 and newer, MS Paint willsave pictures in this format, as will many other programs. Navigate to a directory where your picturesare stored and select one.

Note: the text in the Picture field holds the name of an executable used to work with JPEG files on yourcomputer. Of course you don't see the picture in a table grid. To actually see the graphics double clickthat field. This will load the image within the JPG type associated application.

Now, when we have a picture inside a database, let's see how to display it inside a Delphi form. Wealready have a Delphi form with data components on it from the second chapter of this course.

The DBImage − take oneThe first thing I do when trying to do something new with Delphi is to "ask" Delphi Help for help. This iswhat the Help system replies: TDBImage (Data Controls page on the component palette) represents agraphic image from a BLOB (binary large object) field of the current record of a dataset. UseTDBImage to represent the value of graphic fields. TDBImage allows a form to display graphical datafrom a dataset. The DBImage is nothing more than a TImage component with some data awareproperties. The two most important ones are: DataSource and Field. The DataSource property links theimage component to a dataset. We have a DataSoure component named DataSource1 on our formthat represent a dataset. The Field property indicates the field (in a table) that holds the image.

All clear, put a DBImage on form and leave the DBImage1 name. To actually link a DBImage with aBLOB field in a Table we simply need to do the following assignment (using the Object Inspector):

DBImage1.DataSource = DataSource1DBImage1.Field = Picture

This should do the trick of displaying the JPEG image stored in the Picture field of the Applicationstable.

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To see whether this assignment will work the only thing we have to do is to set the Active property ofthe ADOTable1 component to True. We can do this at design time with the Object Inspector. Once youset it you'll get the following:

Now what? Why does it say "Bitmap image is not valid." We have a JPEG picture not the BMP − is thisthe problem? Let's go back to the Help.

After a few clicks through the Help the conclusion is: to get the JPG inside a database we need to usethe TJpegImage object. To display the picture we need the simple, non−data aware, version of theImage component. Even more we'll need to use streams to load a picture from a BLOB object. TheHelp states that we should use TADOBlobStream to access or modify the value of a BLOB or memofield in an ADO dataset.

Pulling the Jpeg − take two!Since we can do nothing with the DBImage − remove it from the form and place an ordinary TImagecomponent (Additional palette) on it. Name it ADOImage. Unfortunately the Image component does nothave any data−aware properties, so all the code needed to show a picture from a table inside it willrequire a separate procedure. The easiest thing to do is to put a Button on a form and place all thecode inside it's OnClick event. Name the button 'btnShowImage'.

To use the ADOBLOBStream the Help suggests to create an instance of TADOBlobStream, use themethods of the stream to read from a graphic field in a dataset, and then free the BLOB stream.Somewhere "in the middle" we'll need to use LoadFromStream to load a Jpeg image from aTADOBlobStream object. The Image's component Picture.Graphic property will be used to actuallystore and display the picture.

Field object, what are those?At this moment I'll assume that only a small amount of knowledge on Field objects will be enough for you to keep with this chapter. InDelphi database development one of the primary objects is the TField object. Field components are non−visual objects thatrepresent fields of the dataset at run (and design) time. The TADOTable (and other TDataSet descendant) gives access to the FieldsEditor at design time. The Fields Editor enables you to select the fields that you want to include in the dataset. More important, itcreates a persistent lists of the field components used by the dataset in your application. To invoke the Fields Editor double click theTADOTable component. By default, the list of fields is empty. Click Add to open a dialog box listing the fields in the Applicationstable. By default, all fields are selected. Select OK.When Delphi gives (default) names to Fields the following notation is used: Table name + Field name. This means that our picturefield has the name: ADOTable1Picture.

The TADOBlobStream Create method creates an instance of TADOBlobStream for reading from orwriting to a specific BLOB field object, which is in our case the ADOTable1Picture field.

We will place the code in the OnClick event for a btnShowImage button. The code should read thepicture from the Picture field of the currently selected row. This is how the code should look like:

uses jpeg;...procedure TForm1.btnShowImageClick(Sender: TObject);var bS : TADOBlobStream; Pic : TJpegImage;begin bS := TADOBlobStream.Create

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(AdoTable1Picture, bmRead);try

Pic:=TJpegImage.Create;try

Pic.LoadFromStream(bS); ADOImage.Picture.Graphic:=Pic;

finally Pic.Free;

end;finally

bS.Freeend;

end;

Ok, let's run the project now. Of course set the ADOTable1.Active property to True. The form isdisplayed and after clicking on a button this is what we got:

Hm, what now? The code in the procedure is 100% correct but the image doesn't get displayed!Remember the "Never give up, never surrender"? Let's go down to byte level to see what's happening!

OLE object type format − take three!All this leaves us with nothing but to store the picture to a disk (as an ordinary binary file) and seewhat's inside it.One nice thing with picture files (formats) is that all have some header that uniquely identifies theimage. The JPG picture file starts with the, so called, SOI marker that has the value of $FFD8 hex.

This next line of code stores the value of the Picture field to a file (BlobImage.dat) in the workingdirectory. Assign this code in the OnCreate event for the form, start the project and remove the code.

ADOTable1Picture.SaveToFile('BlobImage.dat');

Once we have the file, we can use some Hex editor to see it's content.

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Would you believe this! MS Access stores the path of a linked OLE object as part of the object'sdefinition in the OLE object field. Because the definition of OLE object storage is not documented (!?this is straight from MS) there is no way to know what gets written before the actual image data.

Think about this twice. First: we'll need to seek to the 'FFD8' and read the image from there. Second,the 'FFD8' might not always be at the same position in the file. Conclusion: we need a function thatreturns the position of the SOI marker for the JPG file stored as OLE object in an Access database.

The correct way − take four!Provided with the Blob type field our function should return the position of the 'FFD8' string inside theADOBlobStream. The ReadBuffer reads byte by byte from the stream. Each call to ReadBuffer movesthe position of the stream by one. When two bytes together (as hex values) result in SOI marker thefunction returns the stream position. This is the function:

function JpegStartsInBlob (PicField:TBlobField):integer;var bS : TADOBlobStream; buffer : Word; hx : string;begin Result := −1; bS := TADOBlobStream.Create(PicField, bmRead);

trywhile (Result = −1) and

(bS.Position + 1 < bS.Size) do begin bS.ReadBuffer(buffer, 1); hx:=IntToHex(buffer, 2);

if hx = 'FF' then begin bS.ReadBuffer(buffer, 1); hx:=IntToHex(buffer, 2);

if hx = 'D8' then Result := bS.Position − 2else if hx = 'FF' then

bS.Position := bS.Position−1;end; //if

end; //whilefinally

bS.Freeend; //try

end;

Once we have the position of the SOI marker we use it to seek to it in the ADOBlob stream.

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uses jpeg;...procedure TForm1.btnShowImageClick(Sender: TObject);var bS : TADOBlobStream; Pic : TJpegImage;begin bS := TADOBlobStream.Create (AdoTable1Picture, bmRead);

try bS.Seek(JpegStartsInBlob(AdoTable1Picture), soFromBeginning); Pic:=TJpegImage.Create;

try Pic.LoadFromStream(bS); ADOImage.Picture.Graphic:=Pic;

finally Pic.Free;

end;finally

bS.Freeend;

end;

Run the project and voila!

Who can now say that programming isn't FUN?

Note: in real code application we would have the code to read and display the image from the currentrow in the AfterScroll event of a TDataSet (that is in the ADOTable1AfterScroll event procedure).AfterScroll occurs after an application scrolls from one record to another.

Take five!That's it for this chapter. You can now store and display all your favorite JPG pictures. In the last pageof this article I have provided you with the entire code (form1's unit); all the data assignment is placedin the OnCreate event of the form. This ensures that all three components are correctly linked − youdon't need to use the Object Inspector at design−time.

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I agree, the chapter was not designed for beginners, but hey the World is cruel. Another thing: did youmentioned that at the end you don't know how to change (or add some new) picture in a table! We'll,that's whole another story!

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Data browsing and navigation − DB/4

Chapter four of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Building a data browsing form − linking data components.Navigating through a recordset.

Welcome to the fourth chapter of a free DB Delphi Course! So far, this course has provided enoughinformation to connect to an Access database and even to display a graphical data inside a databasetable. In the last chapter we were discussing some *advanced* database programming techniques −let's go back to more *for beginners* level now.

This time, you will see how to build a form (the real one) that can be used to browse through therecords of a database table.All the examples presented in the previous chapters have used several data−enabled (ADOTable,DBGrid, ...) components without to much explaining what each component is designed for, and how allthose data components link together.

Working together...When developing ADO−based Delphi database applications, the components on the Data Controlspage, the ADO page, and the Data Access page of the component palette allow our application to readfrom and write information to databases.

Every (ADO) data−aware Delphi form, in general, consist of· several data−aware controls (Data Controls tab) that create a visual user interface (the look of thedata form).· one DataSource component (Data Access tab) that represents an interface between a datasetcomponent and data−aware controls on a form.· one or more dataset components (ADO tab) that provide access to the data residing in a databasetable or query.· a connection component (ADO tab) that points all the dataset components to a specific data store.

Data ControlsDelphi's data−aware components are components that normally reside on a Standard palette tab buthave been modified to display and manipulate the content of data in a dataset (table or query). Thechoice of controls is determined by how we want to present the information and how we want to letusers browse (and manipulate − add or edit) through the records of datasets. DBEdit and DBMemo, forexample, are used to represent an individual record from a dataset. The DBGrid, on the other hand, isgenerally used when representing the contents of an entire dataset. Since all the data−aware controlsare counterparts to the standard Windows controls − with a few extra properties, building a functionaldatabase application should be a relatively familiar task.All the data−aware components share one common property: Data Source.

Data SourceSimply put, the DataSource component provides a mechanism to hook dataset components to thevisual data−aware components that display the data. You generally will need one datasourcecomponent for each dataset component to present a link to one or more data−aware controls.

DatasetsTo create an ADO based application, Delphi provides us with four dataset components: TAdoDataSet,TAdoTable, TAdoQuery and TAdoStoredProc. All of the components are designed to retrieve, presentand modify the data. All those components can connect directly (as like in the previous chapter'sexamples) to an ADO data store (such as data in an Access database) through it's ConnectionStringproperty or they can chare a single connection. When connecting through a TAdoConnection theConnection specifies an ADO connection object to use to connect to an ADO data store.

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ADO ConnectionThe ADOConnection component is used to establish a connection with an ADO data store. Althougheach ADO dataset component can directly connect to a database, we will typically want to use theADOConnection component since the component provides methods and properties for activating theconnection, accessing the ADO data store directly and for working with transactions. In order toconnect to a specific database, we use the ConnectionString property.

Now, when we know the theory it's time to see some action. The next step is to build a data form.Before we move on, it'll be a good idea to open the database with Access and add some "dummy" data(3−4 records) to a database just to have some operational data.

There are two different ways of creating forms with access to a data from a database. The first way isto use the Database Form Expert. Unfortunately, the Database Form Expert works only with theBDE−aware set of dataset components. The second way is to place and connect all the datacomponents by hand.

Defining the User InterfaceWe'll build our data browsing form in three steps. First step is to define the user interface for the form.Next, the data access components are added and configured. In the third and final step, thedata−aware controls are added.

Before you start, close any open projects. Then use the following steps:

Select File|New Application. This creates a new project containing an empty form, a unit, and aproject file.

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Add one one PageControl on the form. The PageControl can be found on the Win32 tab on thecomponent palette. Let it have the default name, PageControl.

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Add two TabSheets on the PageControl. Set the Caption of the first TabSheet1 to "Browse". Set theCaption of the second TabSheet1 to "Edit".

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Place a DataSource (DataAccess tab), an ADOTable and an ADOConnection (ADO tab) componenton the form. Leave all the components with their default names.

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Select the first page of the PageControl and place a DBGrid (Data Controls tab) component on theBrowse tabsheet.

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place a DBNavigator component (Data Controls tab). The navigator buttons are used to movethrough the records in a table.

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By using the Object Inspector set the link between components like:•

DBNavigator1.DataSource = DataSource1DBGrid1.DataSource = DataSource1DataSource1.DataSet = ADOTable1ADOTable1.Connection = ADOConnection1ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = ...ADOConnection1.LoginPrompt = FalseADOTable1.Table = 'Applications'

Note: as discussed in the second chapter, the ConnectionString property indicates where the data isphysically stored and how we are accessing it. You can use the same connection string as in thesecond chapter, or you can build one by invoking the connection string editor.Setting the LoginPrompt property of the ADOConnection component to False suppresses the databaselogin from showing. Since we have not set any password for our database we don't need the loginprompt.

15

FieldsThe DBGrid component is generally used when we want to present the entire recordset to the user(data in a table). Even though we can use the DBGird to let the user add, edit and delete records in atable − better approach is to use Field objects for all the fields in a table. Field objects are mostly usedto control the display and editing of data in your applications. By using the Fields Editor we can set thelist of persistent field object for every column in a table. The Field Editor is invoked by double clickingthe DataSet component (ADOTable1). To add fields to the list of persistent fields for a datasetright−click the list and choose Add Fields.

Rather than presenting all the data in a table to the user (within the DBGrid), we might want to usefield−oriented data aware components, such as edit boxes. The DBEdit component for example, is adata−aware version of the TEdit class. DBEdit is the building block of any data entry application.

The easiest way to place a DBEdit on the form and connect it with a field in a table is to use thefollowing:

1. Invoke the Fields editor by double clicking on the ADOTable component.2. Select the Name field, for example. Let the second tab of the Page control be the selected one.3. Drag the Name field on the form.

When you drop the Name field on the tabsheet, Delphi places one Label and one DBEdit componenton it. The Caption of the Label component is the same as the DisplayLabel property of the draggedfield. The DBEdit component is linked to the dataset's datasource through it's DataSource property.If you select more than one filed from the Fields Editor and drag it on the form, Delphi will set as muchLabel/DBEdit components as you have dropped on the form.

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It's aliveOk, all set up. Everything we have to do now is to activate the connection and scroll through therecords. The Active property of a dataset component (ADOTable) indicates whether we have a liveconnection to a table or not. Setting the Active to True or calling the Open method sets the Connectedproperty of the ADOConnection to True − and displays the data in related data−aware controls.

First, Move by, Last,...Now, we are finally ready for some action. The next step is to see how to walk through the recordset.The DBNavigator component gives a simple and friendly tool for navigating through the recordset. Inaddition to it's navigational abilities, the DBNavigator provides a means for manipulating the data withactions like Insert, Delete or Cancel the changes. For example, if the we click the Delete button, thecorrect record is deleted from the recordset. Each button is optional and you can mix and match at will.

Using the button set we are able to skip to the last record or move to the previous one. For example,clicking on the Last button sets the current record to the last record in the recordset and disables theLast and Next buttons. Clicking the Last button is functionally the same as calling the Last method of adataset.Note that one of the navigational operations that the DBNavigator cannot process is moving forward orbackward in a recordset by a number or records. The MoveBy method of a dataset is used to positionthe cursor on a record relative to the active record in the recordset.

That's it for this chapter. We are now ready to move on to topics like editing and searching therecordset, expect to learn about that in the following chapters of this course...

17

Behind data in datasets − DB/5

Chapter five of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. What is the state of data? Iterating through a recordset,bookmarking and reading the data from a database table.

When developing database applications with Delphi and ADO, most of the work is done with the help ofdataset components. To create an ADO based application, Delphi provides us with several datasetcomponents. TAdoTable, TAdoQuery and others are all designed to retrieve, present and modify thedata inside a database table or query.In this fifth chapter of the free database course we'll see exactly how to present, navigate and read thedata − by looking at some of the most interesting datasets properties, events and methods.

Pick, set, connect and getSince this is the fifth chapter, you should be familiar with the steps needed to create a database form.Back in the fourth chapter we have created, by hand, a simple data browsing form. The same form canbe used to follow the discussion in this chapter.

The only (ADO) dataset component we used, by now, was TAdoTable. It's important to know that bothTADOQuery and TADODatSet (as dataset components) share the same set of common methods andevents.

Open Sesame ; Close SesameOne of the great features of Delphi database development is that Delphi enables us to work directlywith the data while in design−mode. If you recall − in the previous chapters we used the Active propertyat design time to open the live connection with the data.It's understandable, that prior to working with the data in a table, an application must first open adataset. Delphi has two methods of performing this function. As we already saw, the Active propertycan be set to True at design or run time. We can also call the Open method at run time. For example,add the following code to the form's OnCreate event handler to get the data from the ADOTable1component:

ADOTable1.Open;

Note: Every ADO dataset can acess data in a database through its own ConnectionString property orthrough an ADOConnection component (and it's ConnectionString). If the ADOTable1 component isconnected to ADOConnection1 component (preferable) than opening the ADOTable will result inactivating the corresponding ADOConection component. The ADOConnection provides two events thatwill be executed: OnWillConnect and OnConnectComplete.

The Open method sets the Active property to True and activates the connection. When we are donewith using the connection we can close it by setting the Active property to False or by calling the Closemethod. Generally you will place the call to Close in the form's OnClose event handler:

ADOTable1.Close;

Before moving on, it's crucial to know that working with dataset's methods and properties relies onknowing the current state of the data. Simply put, the State property of a dataset determines whatactions can and cannot occur at any moment on a dataset.

How are you doing?If the dataset is closed the State of the data indicates an Inactive connection. No operations or actionsor methods can be done on the data while the connection is closed. The first time we open theconnection the dataset is placed in the default Browse state. You should always be aware of the state"your" data is in. For example, when we connect a dataset to a DBGrid, the user is able to see theunderlying dataset (or recordset), but to be able to change some of the data the State must be

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changed to Edit.

It's important to know that the dataset state constantly changes as an application processes data. If, forexample, while browsing the data in a DBGrid (Browse state) the user starts editing the records thestate will automatically change to Edit. Of course, this is the default behaviour of the data−awarecontrols (DBGrid, DBEdit) with their AutoEdit property set to True.

But, how do we get the state? The ADOTable (nor any other dataset component) doesn't have anevent that triggers when the State changes.Ok, let's see: for each dataset component we generally use one datasource component to present alink to one or more data−aware controls. That's it.

Every datasource component has an OnStateChange event that fires whenever the state of theunderlying dataset changes. Placing the following code for the OnStateChange event handler causesthe caption of the form to indicate the current state of the ADOTable1 dataset component:

procedure TForm1.DataSource1StateChange (Sender: TObject);var ds: string;begin

case ADOTable1.State of dsInactive: ds:='Closed'; dsBrowse : ds:='Browsing'; dsEdit : ds:='Editing'; dsInsert : ds:='New record inserting';

else ds:='Other states'

end; Caption:='ADOTable1 state: ' + ds;end;

In the last chapter we used the DBNavigator component to navigate through the dataset. Thiscomponent presents a visual tool for navigating through a dataset. As stated, the DBNavigator hasbuttons that the user can click to move among dataset's records at run−time.

Moving on from BOF to EOFTo iterate through a recordset and to sum some values we'll need to use methods of a datasetcomponent. Take a look at the following code:

... ADOTable1.DisableControls;

try ADOTable1.First;

while not ADOTable1.EOF do begin;Do_Summing_Calculation;

ADOTable1.Next;end;

finally ADOTable1.EnableControls;

end;...

The First method is used to set the current row in the dataset to the first one; the Next moves to thenext row in a dataset. The EOF (and BOF) property indicates whether the dataset is at the last (first)row.In most cases, the dataset is connected to one or more data−aware controls. When long iterations takeplace it's quite interesting to "disconnect" those data−aware controls from the dataset − to preventdata−aware controls from updating every time the active record changes. The DisableControls andEnableControls are used to disable or enable data display in controls associated with the dataset.The error catching (try−finally) part simply ensures that all data−aware controls remain connected to

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the dataset if some exception occurs.The Do_Summing_Calculation should obviously sum values represented by fields in a dataset.

BookmarkingPrior to calling the above code the dataset was probably at some *middle* position − the user wasbrowsing a dataset with a DBGrid. The code moves the *current* row to the end (EOF) causing theprogram to loose the previous position. It would be much better (and user friendly) if we could store thecurrent position and make it the current one (again) when the iteration completes. Of course, Delphihas that option. The Bookmark property of the ADOTable (and any other TDataset decedent) can beused to store and set the current record's position. Bookmarks are used like:

var Bok : TBookmarkStr...Bok := ADOTable1.Bookmark;{iteration code}ADOTable1.Bookmark := Bok;

The value of dataIn the previous code the Do_Summing_Calculation part was left. Most likely that part should get thevalue of some field (column) in a dataset and sum it.When we talk about record values in datasets we talk about values of data fields. As we have seen inthe previous chapters the fields of a dataset are represented with unvisible Field components. In theexamples from previous chapters we used the Object Inspector to set up a list of persistent fields for adataset.

When data−aware controls are connected to a dataset and the user moves through a recordset thecorresponding field values are presented in those controls. When we want to use the same valuesdirectly in code we need to know how to read them.By default, when Delphi gives names to field objects the following notation is used: Table name + Fieldname. This means that if we have the Type field in table the filed object connected to that, hm, field willhave the name: ADOTable1Type.

To access the data value from a field we can use several notations.

ADOTable1Type.ValueADOTable1.Fields[x].ValueADOTable1.FieldByName('Type').Value

Note: All fields of a dataset are stored in the Fields array. x represents the position of the field in the fields array.

The Value property for a field object holds the data value. Since Value is a varian type it's preferable tocast fields value to a type that we currently need. In other words an application should use the AsStringproperty to convert a value (date, integer, currency, ...) in a field to a string when the stringrepresentation of the fields value is needed.

Now we can write the entire code to iterate through a recordset and count how many 'database'applications are in a table (of course we are talking about Applications table in our AboutDelphi.mdbAccess database).

var Bok : TBookmarkStr ict : Integer;begin ict:=0; Bok:=ADOTable1.Bookmark;

try ADOTable1.DisableControls;

try ADOTable1.First;

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while not ADOTable1.EOF do begin;if ADOTable1.FieldByName('Type').AsString

= 'database' then Inc(ict); ADOTable1.Next;

end;finally

ADOTable1.EnableControls;end;

finally ADOTable1.Bookmark:=Bok;

end; ShowMessage('Number of database apps: ' + IntToStr(ict));end;

I agree with you! We should use ADOQuery for such purposes!

That's it for the fifth chapter. Next time we'll see how to add, delete and insert recordset to a databasetable.

21

Data modifications − DB/6

Chapter six of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Learn how to add, insert and delete records from a databasetable.

The main goal of developing database applications is to provide a means of modifying the data. In thefirst five chapters this DB Course has shown how to connect to an Access database, how to display thedata from a database table and how to navigate through the records in a table.

In this sixth chapter of the free database course we'll see exactly how to add, edit and delete the data −by looking at some of the most interesting properties, events and methods of the db−aware/enabledcomponents and objects.

To follow this article you'll need to create a data form similar to ones we were creating in the previouschapters. Use the standard set (DataSource, ADOTable and ADOConnection) of components toconnect to our Access database. This time we will be exploring the Authors table. Recall that theAuthors table has three fields (columns): AuthorName, Email and Web. All three are text fields, in thefirst chapter we added one "dummy" record.

Start a new Delphi project and on the default new form place all the data access components and aDBGrid and a DBNavigator. Use the Object Inspector to set the link between all those components. Setthe Table name of the ADOTable1 component to point to the Authors table. You should already befamiliar with the steps to achieve the connection. Use the Active property of the ADOTable to activatethe connection at design time. Or use the OnCreate/OnClose pair of event handlers for the form toOpen and Close the dataset at run−time.

One of the great advantages of database development with Delphi is in the existance of the TFieldobject. As already stated, in the previous chapters, database fields can be persistent or createddynamically. It is recommended to set the persistent list of fields for a (known) dataset. By using theObject Inspector add all three fields to the list. Use dragging and dropping (as explained in the 5thchapter) to link a data−aware DBEdits to fields in a database table.

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PostingWhen linking components in a way that the DBNavigator is used with the data−aware components likethe DBGrid operations like editing, deleting and inserting new records to a table are donesemi−automatically. For example, suppose you are browsing the recordset with the DBGrid. When youstart retyping the text in some cell (editing the value of the underlying field) the data is not modified untilthe Post method is called. The Post method (of a dataset) plays the central role in a Delphi databaseapplication.When the dataset is in the Edit state, a call to Post modifies the current record. The DBNavigator hasthe Post button (the one with the check mark on it) that calls the Post method when clicked. You shouldbe aware of the fact that Post is called implicitly (for example) when you move to the next record − justby pressing the down key while editing in a DBGrid.

When an application calls the Post method (implicitly or explicitly) several events happen that can behandeled by Delphi. For example the BeforePost event (of a dataset) is triggered before the "modified"record is actually modified and updated with the new values. Your application might use theOnBeforePost to perform validity checks on data changes before posting them to the database. This isa place where so−called record−based validation should be done. Record−based validation is usedwhen other fields are involved in determining if a value entered for a field is valid. To check for thevalidity of one field at a time you could use the OnValidate event handler for that specific field. TheOnValidate event handler is created from the Object Inspector when the Fields editor is invoked andthe appropriate field is selected.

Editing a recordTo be able to edit the data returned by a dataset the dataset must be in the Edit state. The defaultbehaviour of the data−aware controls (DBGrid, DBEdit) with their AutoEdit property set to True is thatonce the user starts editing the values in DBEdit controls the state changes (from Browse) to Edit. Noerror occurs if we try to put a dataset in the Edit state while the dataset is already in the Edit state.

Programmatically editing and posting could look like:

ADOTable1.Edit;ADOTable1AuthorName.AsString := 'Delphi Guide';ADOTable1.Post;

The first line simply puts the dataset in the Edit state. The last one Posts the data to the database. Thesecond one assigns the string value 'Delphi Guide' to the AuthorName field.

Take a look at (some of the) events that were triggered by the previous (simple) call.

ADOTable1BeforeEdit DataSource1StateChange DataSource1DataChange ADOTable1AfterEdit ADOTable1AuthorNameValidate ADOTable1AuthorNameChange DataSource1DataChange DataSource1StateChange ADOTable1BeforePost DataSource1StateChange ADOTable1AfterPost

Note: the DBGrid and the appropriate DBEdit component are refreshed to show the new value for theAuthorName field.

Adding a new recordThe simplest way to add a new record to a table is to click on the DBNavigators Insert button (the one

23

with the plus sign on it). The Insert method called adds/opens a new − empty record in a table. TheDBGrid display one empty row with the asterisk sign in the first column. All three DBEdit componentsare empty and ready for the user to enter values for the new record.The call to Insert results in calling series related events, too.

Programmatically inserting and posting could look like:

with ADOTable1 do beginInsert;

FieldByName('AuthorName').Value := 'Zarko Gajic'; FieldByName('Email').Value := 'gzarko@sf.hr'; FieldByName('Web').Value := 'http://sf.hr';

Post;end;

Note: the ADOTable component has the InsertRecord method that can be used to create a new, emptyrecord at in the dataset, fill fields with values, and post the values to the database − all that with justone line of code. The previous example could look like:

ADOTable1.InsertRecord('Zarko Gajic', 'gzarko@sf.hr', 'http://sf.hr')

"Undo" changesWhile in the Edit (the user is changing the data) or in the Insert state (a new record is to be added), theapplication can call the Cancel method. The DBNavigator has the X sign on the appropriate button. Ifthe record is being edited the call to Cancel returns the original values to connected data−awarecomponents. If the insertion was canceled the empty row is "deleted". Cancel returns dataset toBrowse state.

Deleting a recordThe button with the minus sign on the DBNavigator calls the Delete method for the dataset. There is noneed to call the Post method after Delete. You can use the BeforeDelete event to attempt to preventthe user from deleting the record from table. Note that the DBNavigator has the ConfirmDelete propertyto help prevent the user from accidentally deleting a record from the dataset. If you don't have theDBNavigator connected to a dataset − pressing Ctrl+Delete in a DBGrid calls the Delete method. Ifwhile executing the Delete method an error occurs the OnDeleteError is triggered.

24

Queries with ADO − DB/7

Chapter seven of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Take a look at how you can take advantage of theTADOQuery component to boost your ADO−Delphi productivity.

In this chapter of the free database course for Delphi beginners − focus on ADO, we'll look at how youcan take advantage of the TADOQuery component to boost your ADO−Delphi productivity.

SQL with TADOQueryThe TADOQuery component provides Delphi developers the ability to fetch data from one or multipletables from an ADO database using SQL.

These SQL statements can either be DDL (Data Definition Language) statements such as CREATETABLE, ALTER INDEX, and so forth, or they can be DML (Data Manipulation Language) statements,such as SELECT, UPDATE, and DELETE. The most common statement, however, is the SELECTstatement, which produces a view similar to that available using a Table component.

Note: even though executing commands using the ADOQuery component is possible, theADOCommand component is more appropriate for this purpose. It is most often used to execute DDLcommands or to execute a stored procedure (even though you should use the TADOStoredProc forsuch tasks) that does not return a result set.

The SQL used in a ADOQuery component must be acceptable to the ADO driver in use. In other wordsyou should be familiar with the SQL writing differences between, for example, MS Access and MSSQL.

As when working with the ADOTable component, the data in a database is accessed using a data storeconnection established by the ADOQuery component using its ConnectionString property or through aseparate ADOConnection component specified in the Connection property.

To make a Delphi form capable of retrieving the data from an Access database with the ADOQuerycomponent simply drop all the related data−access and data−aware components on it and make a linkas described in the previous chapters of this course. The data−access components: DataSource,ADOConnection along with ADOQuery (instead of the ADOTable) and one data−aware component likeDBGrid is all we need.As already explained, by using the Object Inspector set the link between those components as follows:

DBGrid1.DataSource = DataSource1DataSource1.DataSet = ADOQuery1ADOQuery1.Connection = ADOConnection1//build the ConnectionString as described in the second chapter.

ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = ...ADOConnection1.LoginPrompt = False

Doing a SQL queryThe TADOQuery component doesn't have a TableName property as the TADOTable does.TADOQuery has a property (TStrings) called SQL which is used to store the SQL statement. You canset the SQL property's value with the Object Inspector at design time or through code at runtime.

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At design−time, invoke the property editor for the SQL property by clicking the ellipsis button in theObject Inspector.Type the following SQL statement: "SELECT * FROM Authors".

The SQL statement can be executed in one of two ways, depending on the type of the statement. TheData Definition Language statements are generally executed with the ExecSQL method. For exampleto delete a specific record from a specific table you could write a DELETE DDL statement and run thequery with the ExecSQL method.The (ordinary) SQL statements are executed by setting the TADOQuery.Active property to True or bycalling the Open method (essentialy the same). This approach is similar to retrieving a table data withthe TADOTable component.

At run−time, the SQL statement in the SQL property can be used as any StringList object:

with ADOQuery1 do begin Close; SQL.Clear; SQL.Add:='SELECT * FROM Authors ' SQL.Add:='ORDER BY authorname DESC' Open;end;

The above code, at run−time, closes the dataset, empties the SQL string in the SQL property, assignsa new SQL command and activates the dataset by calling the Open method.

Note that obviously creating a persistent list of field objects for an ADOQuery component does notmake sense. The next time you call the Open method the SQL can be so different that the whole set offiled names (and types) may change. Of course, this is not the case if we are using ADOQuery to fetchthe rows from just one table with the constant set of fields − and the resulting set depends on theWHERE part of the SQL statement.

Dynamic queriesOne of the great properties of the TADOQuery components is the Params property. A parameterizedquery is one that permits flexible row/column selection using a parameter in the WHERE clause of aSQL statement. The Params property allows replacable parameters in the predefined SQL statement.A parameter is a placeholder for a value in the WHERE clause, defined just before the query isopened. To specify a parameter in a query, use a colon (:) preceding a parameter name.

At design−time use the Object Inspector to set the SQL property as follows:

ADOQuery1.SQL := 'SELECT * FROM Applications WHERE type =: apptype'

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When you close the SQL editor window open the Parameters window by clicking the ellipsis button inthe Object Inspector.

The parameter in the preceding SQL statement is named apptype. We can set the values of theparameters in the Params collection at design time via the Parameters dialog box, but most of the timewe will be changing the parameters at runtime. The Parameters dialog can be used to specify thedatatypes and default values of parameters used in a query.

At run−time, the parameters can be changed and the query re−executed to refresh the data. In order toexecute a parameterized query, it is necessary to supply a value for each parameter prior to theexecution of the query. To modify the parameter value, we use either the Params property orParamByName method. For example, given the SQL statement as above, at run−time we could usethe following code:

with ADOQuery1 do begin Close; SQL.Clear; SQL.Add('SELECT * FROM Applications WHERE type =: apptype');

ParamByName('apptype').Value:='multimedia'; Open;end;

Navigating and editing the queryAs like when working with the ADOTable component the ADOQuery returns a set or records from atable (or two or more). Navigating through a dataset is done with the same set of methods as describedin the "Behind data in datasets" chapter.

In general ADOQuery component should not be used when editing takes place. The SQL basedqueries are mostly used for reporting purposes. If your query returns a result set, it is sometimespossible to edit the returned dataset. The result set must contain records from a single table and itmust not use any SQL aggregate functions. Editing of a dataset returned by the ADOQuery is the sameas editing the ADOTAble's dataset.

An exampleTo see some ADOQuery action we'll code a small example. Let's make a query that can be used tofetch the rows from various tables in a database. To show the list of all the tables in a database we canuse the GetTableNames method of the ADOConnection component. The GetTableNames in theOnCreate event of the form fills the ComboBox with the table names and the Button is used to closethe query and to recreate it to retrieve the records from a picked table. The () event handlers shouldlook like:

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);begin ADOConnection1.GetTableNames(ComboBox1.Items);end;

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);var tblname : string;beginif ComboBox1.ItemIndex < 0 then Exit;tblname := ComboBox1.Items[ComboBox1.ItemIndex];with ADOQuery1 do begin Close; SQL.Text := 'SELECT * FROM ' + tblname; Open;end;end;

Note that all this can be done by using the ADOTable and it's TableName property − much easily.

27

Data filtering − DB/8

Chapter eight of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Using Filters to narow the scope of data that is presentedto the user.

As stated in one of the previous chapters, both TADOQuery and TADODatSet (as datasetcomponents) share the same set of common methods and events. On of the features exposed bythose datasets is the ability to narrow the scope of data that is presented to the user.

Consider that you might have a database table with thousands of records, but your users are interestedin seeing or working on only a small subset of the table data.

To follow the article, set up the data form with the core components (data−access and data−aware) asdescribed in the previous chapters. The next code examples will assume that you are working with theADOTable component pointing to the Applications table in our working Access database.

FilteringFiltering is the method by which some data from the dataset is excluded from view by displaying onlythose records that meet specific criteria. Filtering permits you to present varying views of the datastored in a dataset without actually affecting that data. This criteria is set through the Filter property ofthe dataset component (TADOTable or TADOQuery), it can be set at both design and run time. Filterproperty represents a string that defines the filter criteria.For example, if you want to limit the displayed data (from the Applications table) to freewareapplications (cost $0.00), a filter such as the following will only display records that meet the condition:

ADOTable1.Filter := 'Cost = 0';

You can also add a value for Filter based on the text entered in a control. If the filtered dataset shouldonly display free applications and you want to enable users to supply the type of the applications, afilter could be set as follows:

ADOTable1.Filter := 'Cost = 0 AND Type = ' + QuotedStr(Edit1.Text);

By using combinations of the following operators, you can create quite sophisticated filters.

Operator Meaning

< Less than

> Greater than

>= Greater than or equal to

<= Less than or equal to

= Equal to

<> Not equal to

AND Tests two statements are both True

NOT Tests that the following statement is not True

OR Tests that at least one of two statements is True

Filtered, FilterOptions, FilterGroup, OnFilterRecordThe Filtered property is a Boolean value (True or False) that determines if the string in the Filterproperty is used to filter the dataset. When Filtered is False, the filtering is ignored and the completedataset is available to the application.

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The FilterOptions is a set of two values − both used when filtering string fields. If the foCaseInsensitiveis included in the FilterOptions, comparison between the literal in the Filter property string and the fieldvalues are case−insensitive. The foNoPartialCompare forces Delphi to treat the asterisks (*) as a literalcharacter rather than as wildcard. By default, FilterOptions is set to an empty set.

The OnFilterRecord event fires each time the filtering is enabled and a new record becomes thecurrent one. You will generally use this event to filter records using a criterion that can't be (easily)implemented using the Filter property.

procedure TForm1.ADOTable1FilterRecord (DataSet: TDataSet; var Accept: Boolean);var AppZipSize : Single;begin AppZipSize := ADOTable1.FieldByName('size').Value; Accept := (AppZipSize < 10);end;

The key element here is the Accept parameter. You set the Accept parameter to True for any rows thatyou want to show. The preceding code sets Accept to True for any rows in which the Size field containsa value that is less than 10 (all apps whose download size is less than 10 Kb).

The FilterGroup set property allows you to filter records depending on their status.

To filter or not to filterNote that

the Filter property behaves much like a WHERE clause in a SQL statement.• you can have multiple conditions, specified in the Filter property, separated by AND and ORoperators.

•

generally one should avoid Filters unless the fetched recordset is small. A filter is done on the fly,and may or may not use the current index (filters are applied to every record retrieved in a dataset).

•

filters are rarely used with client/server databases, a SQL query (TADOQuery) should be used toachieve the same effect that filters have on local databases.

•

you should generally not use filtering with datasets on data modules. In a specific situation whenfiltering a table that is never viewed from any other form, or a table that makes use of a range, or sortorder that is not used anywhere else in the application − data modules *should* be avoided.

•

to search a filtered dataset, you can use the FindFirst, FindNext, FindPrior, and FindLast methods.These methods are the best way to search a filtered dataset because the filter is reapplied each timeone of these methods is called. Therefore, if records that previously did not match the filter havebeen modified so that they now match the filter, they will be included in the dataset before the searchis performed.

•

29

Searching for data − DB/9

Chapter nine of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Walking through various methods of data seeking andlocating while developing ADO based Delphi database applications.

A very common task for a database application is to search for a specific record based on somecriteria. In Delphi, ADOExpress components implement record searching methods analogous to thosefound in the BDE approach. This chapter will walk you through various methods of data seeking andlocating while developing ADO based Delphi database applications.

Note: the rest of this chapter deals with the aboutdelphi.mdb MS Access database that was introducedin the first chapter of this course. To use the code examples presented in this chapter, set up the dataform with the core components (data−access and data−aware) as described in the previous chapters.The following code examples will assume that you are working with the ADOTable component pointingto the Applications table in our database.

When you think of it, a searching algorithm could look like: start at the top of the table, examine thefield in each row − to see if it matches the criteria, stop the loop on the selected record or at the bottomrow − whichever comes first.Hopefully, Delphi hides those *steps* from us. There are several ways to locate a record in a datasetretrieved by an ADODataset (Table or Query) component.

LocateThis generic search method sets the current record to be the first row matching a specified set ofsearch criteria. By using the Locate method we can look for values of one or more fields, passed in avariant array.The next code puts the Locate method to work finding the first record that contains the string 'Zoom' inthe Name field. If the call to Locate returns True − the record is found and is set to be the current one.

AdoTable1.Locate('Name','Zoom',[]);

{...or...}

var ffield, fvalue: string; opts : TLocateOptions;

ffield := 'Name';fvalue := 'zoom';opts := [loCaseInsensitive];

if not AdoTable1.Locate(ffield, fvalue, opts) then ShowMessage(fvalue + ' not found in ' + ffield);

LookupLookup does not move the cursor to the matching row, it only returns values from it. Lookup returns avariant array containing the values from the fields specified in a semicolon−delimited list of field nameswhose values should be returned from the matching row. If there are no matching records, Lookupreturns a Null variant.

The following code fills in a LookupRes variant array

var LookupRes: Variant;

LookupRes := ADOTable1.Lookup ('Name', 'Zoom', 'Author; Description');

if not VarIsNull(LookupRes) then ShowMessage(VarToStr(LookupRes[0])) //author name

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One advantage of the Locate and Lookup methods is that they don't require the table to be indexed.However, the Locate function will use the fastest method available to search the table; if a table isindexed, Locate will use the index.

Indexing

An index helps find and sort records faster. You can create indexes based on a single field or onmultiple fields. Multiple−field indexes enable you to distinguish between records in which the first fieldmay have the same value. In most cases you'll want to index fields you search/resort frequently. Forexample, if you search for specific application type in a Type field, you can create an index for this fieldto speed up the search for a specific type.The primary key of a table is automatically indexed, and you can't index a field whose data type is OLEObject. Note that if many of the values in the field are the same, the index may not significantly speedup data retrieval.The main drawbacks are that indexes consume additional disk space, and inserting, deleting andupdating of data takes longer takes longer on indexed columns than on non indexed columns.

When working with a Table component and the BDE (not ADO) Delhi provides us with a number offunctions that will search for values in a database table. Some of these are Goto, GoToKey,GoToNearest, Find, FindKey, Find Nearest, etc. For a complete reference see Delphi's help, topic:Searching for records based on indexed fields. The ADO approach does not support those methods,instead it introduces a Seek method.

SeekThe ADO datasets Seek method uses an index when performing a search. If you don't specify an indexand you are working with an Access database, the database engine will use the primary key index.Seek is used to find a record with a specified value (or values) in the field (or fields) on which thecurrent index is based. If Seek does not find the desired row, no error occurs, and the row is positionedat the end of the dataset. Seek returns a boolean value reflecting the success of the search: True if arecord was found or False if no matching record was found.

The GetIndexNames method of a TADOTable component retrieves a list (for example:items of a combo box) of available indexes for a table.

ADOTable1.GetIndexNames(ComboBox1.Items);

The same list is available at design−time in the IndexName property of a TADOTablecomponent. The IndexFieldNames property can be used as an alternative method ofspecifying the index to use for a table. In IndexFieldNames, specify the name of eachfield to use as an index for a table.

The Seek method has the following declaration:

function Seek(const KeyValues: Variant; SeekOption: TSeekOption = soFirstEQ): Boolean;

· KeyValues is an array of Variant values. An index consists of one or more columns and the arraycontains a value to compare against each corresponding column.

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· SeekOption specifies the type of comparison to be made between the columns of the index and thecorresponding KeyValues.

SeekOption Meaning

soFirstEQ Record pointer positioned at the first matching record, if one is found, or at the end of the dataset if one is not found

soLastEQ Record pointer positioned at the last matching record, if one is found, or at the end of the dataset if one is not found.

soAfterEQ Record pointer positioned at matching record, if found, or just after where that matching record would have been found.

soAfter Record pointer positioned just after where a matching record would have been found.

soBeforeEQ Record pointer positioned at matching record, if found, or just before where that matching record would have been found.

soBefore Record pointer positioned just before where a matching record would have been found.

Note 1: the Seek method is supported only with server−side cursors. Seek is not supported when thedataset's CursorLocation property value is clUseClient. Use the Supports method to determine whetherthe underlying provider supports Seek.

Note 2: when you use the Seek method on multiple fields, the Seek fields must be in the same order asthe fields in the underlying table. If they are not, the Seek method fails.

Note 3: you cannot use the Seek method on TADOQuery component.

To determine whether a matching record was found, we use the BOF or EOF property (depending onthe search direction). The next code uses the index specified in the ComboBox to look for a valuetyped in the Edit1 edit box.

var strIndex: string;

strIndex := ComboBox1.Text; //from the code above

if ADOTable1.Supports(coSeek) then beginwith ADOTable1 do begin

Close; IndexName := strIndex; CursorLocation := clUseServer; Open; Seek (Edit1.Text, soFirstEQ);

end;if ADOTable1.EOF then

ShowMessage ('Record value NOT found');end

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ADO Cursors − DB/10

Chapter ten of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. How ADO uses cursors as a storage and accessmechanism, and what you should do to choose the best cursor for your Delphi ADO application.

Welcome to the chapter ten of the free Delphi ADO Database Course for beginners. In the past ninechapters you were presented with some of the basic techniques when developing ADO−based Delphiapplications. We've seen how several data−access components are used to connect and retrieve datafrom an Access database. One thing is for sure: ADOExpress components fit quite nicely into theDelphi data access model and map very closely to the basic data objects that ADO uses to accessdata.

However, the way you use ADOExpress components is quite different from the traditional Delphiprogramming with the BDE based TTable, and TQuery components. If you're accustomed to workingwith the BDE dataset components, there are a number of things you'll find different when you useADO. The available properties are different, and so should be the programming style.

At the heart of ADO is the Recordset object. The Recordset object (aka Dataset) is a result of a Querycommand (SELECT statement of a TADOQuery component, for example). When an ADO−basedapplication retrieves rows from a database, an ADO Recordset object encapsulates the data and theoperations allowed on that data. ADO uses cursors to contain the logical set of rows maintained for arecordset. The cursor also provide the current position in the recordset. In development we use cursorsto create a recordset to scroll forward or backward in, or to have the recordset pick up another user'schanges.

Cursor?!The simplest definition would be: a query result set where browsing is enabled and the current positionis known.

Within ADO, cursors have three functions. First, the cursor type determines movement within thecursor and whether the recordset will reflect users changes. Second, the cursor location determineswhere to store the recordset while the cursor is open. Third, the cursor's locking type specifies how anADO datastore will lock the rows when you want to make changes.

The understanding of cursors is extremely important. For example, in order to get our recordset to dothe things we want, we need to open certain ADO recordsets with specific types of cursors. ToRecordCount property, for example, is NOT supported with forward−only cursors.

In the ADOExpress set, TCustomADODataSet encapsulates a set of properties, events, and methodsfor working with data accessed through an ADO datastore. All the TCustomADODataSet descendantclasses (TADODataSet, TADOTable, TADOQuery, and TADOStoredProc) share several commonproperties. Use the CursorType, CursorLocation, and LockType properties to create the most efficientrecordset.

CursorTypeChoosing the correct cursor has a direct impact on the success of your Delphi ADO−based application.

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ADO provides four cursor options: dynamic, keyset, forward−only and static. Since each cursor typebehaves differently, you will greatly benefit from understanding the capabilities of each one.

The CursorType property specifies how you move through the recordset and whether changes madeon the database are visible to the recordset after you retrieve it. Delphi wraps ADO cursor types in theTCursorType.

ctDynamicAllows you to view additions, changes and deletions by other users, and allows all types of movementthrough the Recordset that don't rely on bookmarks; allows bookmarks if the provider supports them.The Supports method of an ADODataset indicates whether a recordset supports certain types ofoperations. The following statement can be used to check if the provider supports bookmarks:if ADOTable1.Supports(coBookmark) then ...Choose dynamic cursors if multiple users insert, update, and delete rows in the database at the sametime.

ctKeysetBehaves like a dynamic cursor, except that it prevents you from seeing records that other users add,and prevents access to records that other users delete. Data change by other users will still be visible.It always supports bookmarks and therefore allows all types of movement through the Recordset.

ctStaticProvides a static copy of a set of records for you to use to find data or generate reports. Always allowsbookmarks and therefore allows all types of movement through the Recordset. Additions, changes, ordeletions by other users will not be visible. A static cursor behaves like the result set from a BDE Querycomponent with its RequestLive property set to False.

ctForward−onlyBehaves identically to a dynamic cursor except that it allows you to scroll only forward through records.This improves performance in situations where you need to make only a single pass through aRecordset.

Note: only ctStatic is supported if the CursorLocation property of the ADO dataset component is set toclUseClient.

Note: if the requested cursor type is not supported by the provider, the provider may return anothercursor type. That is, if you try to set CursorLocation to clUseServer and CursorType to ctDynamic, onan Access database, Delphi will change the CursorType to ctKeyset.

CursorLocationThe CursorLocation property defines where the recordset is created when it's opened — on the clientor the server.

The data in a client−side cursor is "inherently disconnected" from the database. ADO retrieves theresults of the selection query (all rows) and copies the data to the client before you start using it (intothe ADO cursor). After you make changes to your Recordset, the ADO translates those changes intoan action query and submits that query to your database through the OLE DB provider. The client−sidecursor behaves like a local cache.In most cases, a client−side cursor is preferred, because scrolling and updates are faster and moreefficient, although returning data to the client increases network traffic.

Using the server−side cursor means retrieving only the required records, requesting more from theserver as the user browses the data. Server−side cursors are useful when inserting, updating, ordeleting records. This type of cursor can sometimes provide better performance than the client−sidecursor, especially in situations where excessive network traffic is a problem.

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You should consider a number of factors when choosing a cursor type: whether you're doing more dataupdates or just retrieving data, whether you'll be using ADO in a desktop application or in anInternet−based application, the size of your resultset, and factors determined by your data store andenvironment. Other factors might restrict you as well. For example, the MS Access doesn't supportdynamic cursors; it uses keyset instead. Some data providers automatically scale the CursorType andCursorLocation properties, while others generate an error if you use an unsupported CursorType orCursorLocation.

LockTypeThe LockType property tells the provider what type of locks should be placed on records during editing.Locking can prevent one user from reading data that is being changed by another user, and it canprevent a user from changing data that is about to be changed by another user.

Modifying a record in an Access database locks some neighboring records. This is because Accessuses, so called, page locking strategy. This means that if a user is editing a record, some other userwon't be allowed to modify that record, or even to modify the next few records after or before it.

In Delphi, the TADOLockType specifies the types of locks that can be used. You can control row andpage locking by setting the appropriate cursor lock option. To use a specific locking scheme, theprovider and database type must support that locking scheme.

ltOptimisticOptimistic locking locks the record only when it's physically updated. This type of locking is useful inconditions where there is only a small chance that a second user may update a row in the intervalbetween when a cursor is opened and the row is finally updated. The current values in the row arecompared with the values retrieved when the row was last fetched.

ltPessimisticPessimistic locking locks each record while it's being edited. This option tells ADO to get an exclusivelock on the row when the user makes any change to any column in the record. The ADOExpresscomponents don't directly support pessimistic record locking because ADO itself does not have anyway to arbitrarily lock a given record and still support navigating to other records.

ltReadOnlyRead only locking simply does not allow data editing. This lock is useful in conditions where yourapplication must temporarily prevent data changes, but still can allow unrestricted reading. Read onlylocking with CursorType set to ctForwardOnly is ideal for reporting purposes.

ltBatchOptimisticBatchOptimistic locking is used with disconnected recordsets. These recordsets are updated locallyand all modifications are sent back to the database in a batch.

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From Paradox to Access with ADO and Delphi − DBCourse/Chapter 11

Chapter eleven of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Focusing on the TADOCommand components and usingthe SQL DDL language to help porting your BDE/Paradox data to ADO/Access.

Chapter 5 of this course (Free Delphi Database Course for Beginners − focus on ADO techniques)featured the ADOQuery component designed to enable Delphi developers to use the SQL languagewith ADO. The SQL statements can either be DDL (Data Definition Language) statements such asCREATE TABLE, ALTER INDEX, and so forth, or they can be DML (Data Manipulation Language)statements, such as SELECT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

In this chapter, I'll focus on the TADOCommand components and using the SQL DDL language to helpporting your BDE/Paradox data to ADO/Access.

Data definition languageCreating a database programmatically isn't something most developers do every day − we all usesome kind of visual tool, like MS Access for maintaining a MDB file. Unfortunately, sometimes you'llneed to create and destroy databases and database objects from code. The most basic technique inuse today is Structured Query Language Data Definition Language (SQL DDL). Data definitionlanguage (DDL) statements are SQL statements that support the definition or declaration of databaseobjects (for example, CREATE TABLE, DROP TABLE, CREATE INDEX and similar).My intention here is not to teach you the DDL language, if you are familiar with the SQL DML then DDLshould be no barrier for you. Note that working with DDL can be quite tricky, every database vendorgenerally provides its own extensions to SQL.

Let's quickly take a look at a simple CREATE TABLE statement:

CREATE TABLE PhoneBook( Name TEXT(50) Tel TEXT(50));

This DDL statemnt (for MS Access), when executed, will create a new table named PhoneBook. ThePhoneBook table will have two fields, Name and Tel. Both fields are of the string (TEXT) type and thesize of the fields is 50 characters.

TFieldDef.DataTypeObviously, data type that represents a string in Access is TEXT. In Paradox it's STRING. In order toport Paradox tables to Access we'll have to know what data types are available and what are theirnames. When working with the BDE and Paradox tables, the TFieldDef.DataType determines the typeof a physical field in a (dataset) table. To successfully migrate Paradox tables to Access you need tohave a function that "transforms" a Paradox field type to an Access type.The next function checks the type of the field (fd) and returns the corresponding Access type along witha field size when needed for a CREATE TABLE DDL statement.

function AccessType(fd:TFieldDef):string;begin

case fd.DataType of ftString: Result:='TEXT('+IntToStr(fd.Size)+')'; ftSmallint: Result:='SMALLINT'; ftInteger: Result:='INTEGER'; ftWord: Result:='WORD'; ftBoolean: Result:='YESNO'; ftFloat : Result:='FLOAT'; ftCurrency: Result := 'CURRENCY';

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ftDate, ftTime, ftDateTime: Result := 'DATETIME'; ftAutoInc: Result := 'COUNTER'; ftBlob, ftGraphic: Result := 'LONGBINARY'; ftMemo, ftFmtMemo: Result := 'MEMO';

else Result:='MEMO';

end;end;

ADOXADO Extensions for Data Definition Language and Security (ADOX) is an extension to the ADO objectsand programming model. ADOX gives developers a rich set of tools for gaining access to the structure,security model, and procedures stored in a database.

To use ADOX in Delphi, you should establish a reference to the ADOX type library.1. Select Project | Import Type Library3. Choose "Microsoft ADO Ext 2.x for DDL and Security (Version 2.x)"4. Change "TTable" to "TADOXTable"5. Change "TColumn" to "TADOXColumn"6 .Change "TIndex" to "TADOXIndex"7. Press Install button (rebuilding packages)8. Press OK once and Yes twice9. File | Close All | Yes

The top−level object in the ADOX object model is the Catalog object. It provides access to the Tables,Views, and Procedures collections, which are used to work with the structure of the database, and alsoprovides the Users and Groups collections, which are used to work with security. Each Catalog objectis associated with only one Connection to an underlying data source.

We'll leave ADOX (at least for now) and stick to ADOExpress.

TADOCommandIn ADOExpress, the TADOCommand component is the VCL representation of the ADO Commandobject. The Command object represents a command (a query or statement) that can be processed bythe data source. Commands can then be executed using the ADOCommand's Execute method.TADOCommand is most often used for executing data definition language (DDL) SQL commands. TheCommandText property specifies the command to execute. The CommandType property determineshow the CommandText property is interpreted. The cmdText type is used to specify the DDLstatement. Although it makes no sense to use the ADOCommand component to retrieve a dataset froma table, query, or stored procedure, you can do so.

It's time for some real code...The following project will demonstrate how to:

get the list of all tables in a BDE alias• use TFieldDefs in order to retrieve the definition (name, data type, size, etc.) of fields in a table.• create a CREATE TABLE statement• copy data from BDE/Paradox table to ADO/Access table.•

Basically what we want to do is to copy several tables from DBDemos to our aboutdelphi.mdb Accessdatabase. The structure of the aboutdelphi.mdb is discussed in the first chapter.

Let's do it step by step:GUIStart Delphi − this creates a new project with one blank form. Add two Buttons, one ComboBox andone Memo component. Next, add a TTable, TADOTable, TADOConnection and a TADOCommandcomponent. Use the Object Inspector to set the following properties (leave all the other properties as

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they are − for example the Memo should have the default name: Memo1):

Button1.Caption = 'Construct Create command'

Button2.Caption = 'Create Table and copy data'ComboBox.Name = cboBDETblNames;

//as described in the second chapterADOConnection1.ConnectionString = ...TADOTable.Name = ADOTableADOTable.Connection = ADOConnection1TADOCommand.Name = ADOCommandADOCommand.Connection = ADOConnection1TTable.Name = BDETableBDETable.DatabaseName = 'DBDEMOS'

CodeTo retrieve a list of the tables associated with a given database (DBDEMOS) we use the next code(OnCreate for the form):

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);begin Session.GetTableNames('DBDEMOS', '*.db',False, False, cboBDETblNames.Items);end;

When you start the project the ComboBox has all the (Paradox) table names in the DBDEMOS aliasdirectory. In the code that follows, we'll pick the Country table.

The next task is to create a CREATE TABLE DDL statement. This gets done in the 'Construct Createcommand' button's OnClick procedure:

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);//'Construct Create command' buttonvar i:integer; s:string;begin BDETable.TableName:=cboBDETblNames.Text; BDETable.FieldDefs.Update;

s:='CREATE TABLE ' + BDETable.TableName + ' (';with BDETable.FieldDefs do begin

for i:=0 to Count−1 do begin s:=s + ' ' + Items[i].Name; s:=s + ' ' + AccessType(Items[i]); s:=s + ',';

end; //for s[Length(s)]:=')';

end;//with

Memo1.Clear; Memo1.lines.Add (s);end;

The above code simply parses the field definitions for the selected table (cboBDETblNames) andgenerates a string that will be used by the CommandText property of the TADOCommand component.

For example, when you select the Country table the Memo gets filled with the next string:

CREATE TABLE country ( Name TEXT(24), Capital TEXT(24), Continent TEXT(24),

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Area FLOAT, Population FLOAT)

And finally, the code for the 'Create Table and copy data' button drops a table (DROP..EXECUTE), creates atable (CREATE..EXECUTE), and then copies data into the new table (INSERT...POST). Some error handling codeis provided, but the code will fail if, for example, the (new) table does not already exist (since it first getsdropped).

procedure TForm1.Button2Click(Sender: TObject);//'Create Table and copy data' buttonvar i:integer; tblName:string;begin tblName:=cboBDETblNames.Text;

//refresh Button1Click(Sender);

//drop & create table ADOCommand.CommandText:='DROP TABLE ' + tblName; ADOCommand.Execute;

ADOCommand.CommandText:=Memo1.Text; ADOCommand.Execute;

ADOTable.TableName:=tblName;

//copy data BDETable.Open; ADOTable.Open;

trywhile not BDETable.Eof do begin

ADOTable.Insert;for i:=0 to BDETable.Fields.Count−1 do begin

ADOTable.FieldByName (BDETable.FieldDefs[i].Name).Value := BDETable.Fields[i].Value;

end;//for ADOTable.Post; BDETable.Next

end;//whilefinally

BDETable.Close; ADOTable.Close;

end;//tryend;

That's it. Check out your Access database now...voila there is a Country table with all the data fromDBDEMOS.

Now you can port all your Paradox tables to Access. Few questions, however, stay unanswered. Thefirst one is: how to add index definitions (CREATE INDEX ON ...) to tables. The second one is: how to createan empty Access database. I'll leave those (and others you can think of) for the Forum or for somefuture article.

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Master detail relationships − DB/12

Chapter twelve of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. How to use parent−child database relationships to dealeffectively with the problem of joining two database tables to present information.

Master−detail data relationships are a fact of life for every Delphi database developer; just as datarelationships are a fundamental feature of relational databases.

In the previous chapters of this course, we've invariably used only one table from our "demo"aboutdelphi.mdb MS Access database. In real time database programming, the data in one table isrelated to the data in other tables. In general, tables can be related in one of three different ways:one−to−one, one−to−many or many−to−many. This chapter will show you how to use one−to−manydatabase relationships to deal effectively with the problem of joining two database tables to presentinformation.

A one−to−many relationship, often referred to as a "master−detail" or "parent−child" relationship, is themost usual relationship between two tables in a database.

Common scenarios include customer/purchase data, patient/medical−record data, andstudent/course−result data. For example, each customer is associated with at least one order record.Valued customers have many order records involving significant sums and often a user needs to viewone in connection with the other. In a one−to−many relationship, a record in Table A can have (none orone or) more than one matching record in Table B, but for every record in Table B there is exactly onerecord in Table A.

A typical master−detail data browsing form displays the results of a one−to−many relationship, whereone DBGrid displays (or set of data enabled controls) the results of the first or master table. It thentracks a selection in the first DBGrid to filter the results of a second table used to display the details ofthe selection in the second DBGrid.

When working with the BDE and Delphi, the simplest way to assemble a master−detail form is to usethe Database Form Wizard. Wizard simplifies the steps needed to create a tabular or data−entry formby use of an existing database, unfortunately it is designed to use the BDE versions of TTable andTQuery components. Everything the wizard does, we can do by hand.

Since, through this course, we are working with the ADOExpress set of Delphi components, we'll needto set all the components step by step. Firstly we have to make sure that we have two tables in amaster−detail relationship.

MS Access relationshipsOur focus will be on the following two tables: Customers and Orders. Both tables are a part of theDBDEMOS database that comes with Delphi. Since both tables are Paradox tables, we'll use the codefrom the previous article to port them to our working aboutdelphi.mdb MS Access database.

Notice that when you port those tables to Access both of them have no index or primary key nor arethey linked in any way in Access.

The power in a relational database management system such as MS Access comes from its ability toquickly find and bring together information stored in separate tables. In order for MS Access to workmost efficiently, each table in your database should include a field or set of fields that uniquelyidentifies each individual record stored in the table. If two tables are liked in a relation (of any kind) weshould set that relation with the MS Access.

Customers−Orders relationTo set up the relationship, you add the field or fields that make up the primary key on the "one" side of

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the relationship to the table on the "many" side of the relationship. In our case, you would add theCustNo field from the Customers table to the Orders table, because one customer has many orders.Note that you have to set the CustNo in Customers to be the primary key for the table.

When creating a relation between two tables MS Access provides us with the Referential Integrityfeature. This feature prevents adding records to a detail table for which there is no matching record inthe master table. It will also cause the key fields in the detail table to be changed when thecorresponding key fields in the master are changed − this is commonly referred to as a cascadingupdate. The second options is to enable cascading deletes. This causes the deletion of all the relatedrecords in a detail table when the corresponding record in the master table gets deleted. These eventsoccur automatically, requiring no intervention by a Delphi application using these tables.

Now, when we have all the relations set up, we simply link few data components to create amaster−detail data browsing Delphi form.

Setting up Master/Detail with ADOExpressCreating a master−detail data form is not to much complicated. Have an empty Delphi form, and justfollow the steps:

1. Select the ADO page on the Component palette. Add two TADOTable components and oneTADOConnection to a form.2. Select the Data Access page on the Component palette. Add two TDataSource components to aform.3. Select Data Controls page on the Component palette. Place two TDbGrid components on a form.Add two DBNavigator components, too.4. Use the ADOConnection, the ConnectionString property, to link to the aboutdelphi.bdb MS Accessdatabase, as explained in the first chapter of this course.5. Connect DBGrid1 with DataSource1, and DataSource1 with ADOTable1. This will be the mastertable. Connect DBNavigator1 with DataSource1.6. Connect DBGrid2 with DataSource2, and DataSource2 with ADOTable2. This will be the detail table.Connect DBNavigator2 with DataSource2.7. Set ADOTable1.TableName to point to the Customers table (master).8. Set ADOTable2.TableName to point to the Orders table (detail).

If you, at this moment, set the Active property of both ADOTable components to true, you'll notice thatthe entire Orders table is displayed − this is because we haven't set up the master−detail relationshipyet.

Your form should look something like:

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MasterSource and MasterFieldsThe MasterSource and MasterFields properties of the TADOTable component define master−detailrelationships in Delphi/ADO database applications.

To create a master−detail relationships with Delphi, you simply needto set the detail table's MasterSource property to the DataSource ofthe master table and its MasterFields property to the chosen keyfield in the master table.

In our case, first, set ADOTable2.MasterSource to be DataSource1. Second, activate the Field LinkDesigner window to set the MasterFields property: in the Detail Fields list box and the Master Fields listbox select the CustNo field. Click Add and OK.

These properties keep both tables in synchronization, so as you move through the Customers table,the Orders table will only move to records which match the key field (CustNo) in the Customers table.

Each time you highlight a row and select a new customer, the second grid displays only the orderspertaining to that customer.

When you delete a record in a master table − all the corresponding record in the detail table aredeleted. When you change a linked field in a record in a master table − the corresponding field in thedetail table gets changed to (in as many records as needed).

Simple as that!

Stop. Note that creating a master−detail form with Delphi is not enough to support referential integrityfeatures on two tables. Even though we can use methods described here to display two tables in aparent−child relation; if those two tables are not linked (one−to−many) within MS Access − cascading

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updates and deletes won't take place if you try to delete or update the "master" record.

ADO ShapingShaped recordsets are an alternative to master−detail relationships. Beginning with ADO 2.0, thismethod is available. Shaped recordsets allow the developer to retrieve data in a hierarchical fashion.The shaped recordset adds a special "field" that is actually a recordset unto itself. Essentially, datashaping gives you the ability to build hierarchical recordsets. For instance, a typical hierarchicalrecordset might consist of a parent recordset with several fields, one of which might be anotherrecordset.

For an example of the SHAPE command take a look at the shapedemo project that shiped with Delphi(in the Demos\Ado directory). You must specify the shaping provider in your connection string, byadding Provider=MSDataShape; to the beginning.

SHAPE {select * from customer}APPEND ({select * from orders} AS OrdersRELATE CustNo TO CustNo)

Although it takes some time to master the SHAPE command that's used to create these queries, it canresult in significantly smaller resultsets. Data shaping reduces the amount of traffic crossing a network,provides more flexibility when using aggregate functions, and reduces overhead when interfacing withleading−edge tools like XML.

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New...Access Database from Delphi − DB Course/Chapter 13

Chapter thirteen of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. How to create an MS Access database without the MSAccess. How to create a table, add an index to an existing table, how to join two tables and set up referential integrity. NoMS Access, only Pure Delphi code.

Chapter 11 of this course (Free Delphi Database Course for Beginners − focus on ADO techniques)featured the ADOCommand component which is most often used for executing data definitionlanguage (DDL) SQL commands. We've presented a way of porting your existing Paradox/BDE tablesto MS Access. However few questions have stayed unanswered: how to create an empty Accessdatabase, how to add an index to an existing table, how to join two tables with referential integrity, ....

Many of the attendees of this course have complained that they do not have MS Access installed ontheir computer − and are unable to create a sample database (aboutdelphi.mdb) that is presented inthe first chapter and used through this course.

In this chapter, we'll again focus on the TADOCommand and the ADOX to see how set up an emptyMS Access database from "nothing".

ADOXAs stated in the mentioned chapter, ADO Extensions for Data Definition Language and Security is anextension to the ADO objects and programming model. ADOX gives developers a rich set of tools forgaining access to the structure, security model, and procedures stored in a database.

Even though ADOX is part of ADO, Delphi does not wrap it inside ADOExpress. To use ADOX withDelphi, you should establish a reference to the ADOX type library. The description of the ADOX libraryis "Microsoft ADO Ext. for DDL and Security." The ADOX library file name is Msadox.dll. You'll have toimport the ADOX library into the IDE.

To use ADOX in Delphi, you should establish a reference to the ADOX type library.1. Select Project | Import Type Library2. Choose "Microsoft ADO Ext 2.x for DDL and Security (Version 2.x)"3a. Change "TTable" to "TADOXTable"3b. Change "TColumn" to "TADOXColumn"3c. Change "TIndex" to "TADOXIndex"3d. Change "TKey" to "TADOXKey"3e. Change "TGroup" to "TADOXGroup"3f. Change "TUser" to "TADOXUser"3g. Change "TCatalog" to "TADOXCatalog"4. Press Install button (rebuilding packages)5. Press OK once and Yes twice6. File | Close All | Yes

This process creates a ADOX_TLB.pas unit and places its name in the uses clause of the currentproject. The process also places 7 new components on the ActiveX page of the component palette. It isvery important to change the class names as described in step 3. If you omit that part Delphi willcomplain that class TTable is already defined − this is because the VCL already has the BDE versionof TTable component.

aboutdelphi.mdbBefore we move on, you should recall that our sample aboutdelphi.mdb database has three tables:Application, Authors and Types. Both Authors and Types are child tables to Applications. Both Authorsand Types have a primary index.

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The Delphi ProjectOur task is to have Delphi do all the work. We want to create a newdatabase from code, add all three tables from code, add indexesfrom code and even set up a referential integrity between thosetables − again from code.

As usual, have an empty Delphi form. Add two button component. Add a TADOConnection,TADOCommand. We'll use TADOCommand with a DDL language to create and link tables. Add aTADOXCatalog component (ActiveX page). The TADOXCatalog will do the trick of creating a newdatabase. Let the name of the first button be btnNewDatabase (caption: 'Create database'), the secondone should be called btnAddTables (caption: 'Create and link tables'). All the other components shouldhave the default name.In this chapter we'll link those components from code. Therefore, you do not need to set up aConnectionString for the ADOConnection component and the Connection property for theADOCOmmand component now.

New...DatabaseBefore we move on to creating tables and linking them we have to create a new (empty) database.This is the code:

procedure TForm1.btnNewDatabaseClick(Sender: TObject);var DataSource : string; dbName : string;begin dbName:='c:\aboutdelphi.mdb';

DataSource := 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0' + ';Data Source=' + dbName + ';Jet OLEDB:Engine Type=4';

ADOXCatalog1.Create1(DataSource);end;

Would you belive − simple as that. Obviously the ADOXCatalog has a method called Create1 thatcreates a new database. Pretty unusual since we've accustomed that Create methods are used tocreate an object from a class. The ADOXCatalog really has a Create method which has nothing incommon to Create1.

The variable DataSource looks pretty much like a standard connection string for the TADOConnectioncomponent. There is only one addition, the Jet OLEDB:Engine Type=X part. Engine type 4 is used to

45

create an MS Access 97 database, type 5 is for MS Access 2000.

Note that the above code does not check for the existance of the c:\aboutdelphi.mdb database. If yourun this code twice it will complain that the databae already exists.

Add table, create index, set referential integrityThe next step is to create all tables (three of them), add indexes, and create referential integrity. Eventhough we could use ADOX, that is, TADOXTable, TADOXKey, etc. I'm somehow more familiar withthe (standard) DDL language and the TADOCommand component. Back in the chapter 11 of thiscourse we discussed database tables porting issues. This time we'll create tables from nothing.The following peaces of code are to be placed inside the button's btnAddTables OnClick even handler,I'll slice the code and add some explanations in between.

First, we need to connect to the newly created database with the TADOConnection component. Sincewe've left the ADOCommand unattached to ADOConnection − we'll link them from code (this should beobvious by now):

procedure TForm1.btnAddTablesClick(Sender: TObject);var DataSource : string; cs : string;begin DataSource := 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0'+ ';Data Source=c:\aboutdelphi.mdb'+ ';Persist Security Info=False';

ADOConnection1.ConnectionString := DataSource; ADOConnection1.LoginPrompt := False; ADOCommand1.Connection := ADOConnection1; ...

Second, we create both Types and Authors tables, the structures are given in the first chapter. To builda new table with DDL by using the Jet SQL, we use the CREATE TABLE statement by providing it thename the table, name the fields, and fiedl type definitions. Then, the Execute method of theADOCommand component is used.

... cs:='CREATE TABLE Types (typename TEXT(50))'; ADOCommand1.CommandText := cs; ADOCommand1.Execute;

cs:='CREATE TABLE Authors (' + 'authorname TEXT(50),' + 'email TEXT(50),' + 'web TEXT(50))'; ADOCommand1.CommandText := cs; ADOCommand1.Execute;...

Next, we add indexes to those two tables. When you apply an index to a table, you are specifying acertain arrangement of the data so that it can be accessed more quickly. To build an index on a table,you must name the index, name the table to build the index on, name the field or fields within the tableto use, and name the options you want to use. You use the CREATE INDEX statement to build theindex. There are four main options that you can use with an index: PRIMARY, DISALLOW NULL,IGNORE NULL, and UNIQUE. The PRIMARY option designates the index as the primary key for thetable.

...

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cs:='CREATE INDEX idxPrimary '+ 'ON Types (typename) WITH PRIMARY'; ADOCommand1.CommandText := cs; ADOCommand1.Execute;

cs:='CREATE INDEX idxPrimary '+ 'ON Authors (authorname) WITH PRIMARY'; ADOCommand1.CommandText := cs; ADOCommand1.Execute;...

Finally, we add the last table. Applications table is linked with both Types and Authors in a masterdetail relationship. Back in the last chapter we were discussing one−to−many relationships that definethe following: for every record in the master table, there are one or more related records in the childtable. In our case, one Author (Authors table) can post more Applications; and the Application can beof some type.When defining the relationships between tables, we use the CONSTRAINT declarations at the fieldlevel. This means that the constraints are defined within a CREATE TABLE statement.

... cs:='CREATE TABLE Applications ('+ ' Name TEXT(50),'+ ' Description TEXT(50),'+ ' Author TEXT(50) CONSTRAINT idxauthor '+ 'REFERENCES Authors (authorname),'+ ' Type TEXT(50) CONSTRAINT idxtype '+ 'REFERENCES Types (typename),'+ ' Size FLOAT,'+ ' Cost CURRENCY,'+ ' DateUpl DATETIME,'+ ' Picture LONGBINARY)';

ADOCommand1.CommandText := cs; ADOCommand1.Execute;

end;//btnAddTablesClick

That's it. Now run the project, click the btnNewDatabase button, click the btnAddTables button and youhave a new (empty) aboutdelphi.mdb database in the root of the C disk. If you have MS Accessinstalled on your system you can open this database with it and check that all thje tables are here andin the Relationships window all the tables are linked.

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Charting with Databases − DB Course/Chapter 14

Chapter fourteen of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. Introducing the TDBChart component by integratingsome basic charts into a Delphi ADO based application to quickly make graphs directly for the data in recordsets withoutrequiring any code.

In most modern database applications some kind of graphical data representation is preferable or evenrequired. For such purposes Delphi includes several data aware components: DBImage, DBChart,DecisionChart, etc. The DBImage is an extension to an Image component that displays a picture insidea BLOB field. Chapter 3 of this database course discussed displaying images (BMP, JPEG, etc.) insidean Access database with ADO and Delphi. The DBChart is a data aware graphic version of the TChartcomponent.

Our goal in this chapter is to introduce the TDBChart by showing you how to integrate somebasic charts into your Delphi ADO based application.

TeeChartThe DBChart component is a powerful tool for creating database charts and graphs. It is not onlypowerful, but also complex. We wont be exploring all of its properties and methods, so you'll have toexperiment with it to discover all that it is capable of and how it can best suite your needs. By using theDBChart with the TeeChart charting engine you can quickly make graphs directly for the data indatasets without requiring any code. TDBChart connects to any Delphi DataSource. ADO recordsetsare natively supported. No additional code is required − or just a little as you'll see. The Chart editor willguide you through the steps to connect to your data − you don't even need to go to the ObjectInspector.Runtime TeeChart libraries are included as part of Delphi Professional and Enterprise versions. TChartis also integrated with QuickReport with a custom TChart component on the QuickReport palette.Delphi Enterprise includes a DecisionChart control in the Decision Cube page of the Componentpalette.

Let's chart! − PrepareOur task will be to create a simple Delphi form with a chart filled with values from a database query. Tofollow along, create a Delphi form as follows:

1. Start a a new Delphi Application − one blank form is created by default.2. Place the next set of components on the form: ADOConnection, ADOQuery, DataSource, DBGridand a DBChart.3. Use the Object Inspector to connect ADOQuery with ADOConnection, DBGrid with DataSource withADOQuery.4. Set up a link with our demo database (aboutdelphi.mdb) by using the ConnectionString of theADOConnection component.5. Select the ADOQuery component and assign the next string to the SQL property:

SELECT TOP 5 customer.Company,SUM(orders.itemstotal) AS SumItems,COUNT(orders.orderno) AS NumOrdersFROM customer, ordersWHERE customer.custno = orders.custnoGROUP BY customer.CompanyORDER BY SUM(orders.itemstotal) DESC

This query uses two tables: orders and customer. Both tables were imported from the (BDE/Paradox)DBDemos database to our demo (MS Access) database back in the chapter 11. This query results in arecordset with only 5 records. The first field is the Company name, the second (SumItems) is a sum ofall the orders made by the company and the third field (NumOrders) represents the number of orders

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that were made by the company. Note that those two tables are linked in a master−detail relationship.

6. Create a persistent list of database fields. (To invoke the Fields Editor double click the ADOQuerycomponent. By default, the list of fields is empty. Click Add to open a dialog box listing the fieldsretrieved by the query (Company, NumOrders, SumItems). By default, all fields are selected. SelectOK.) Even though you don't need a persistent set of fields to work with a DBChart component − we'llcreate it now. The reasons will be explained later.7. Set ADOQuery.Active to True in the Object Inspector to see the resulting set at design time.

The form should look something like:

Note that the DBChart is "empty". We have not connected the recordset with the chart, yet.

Let's chart! − ConnectIn most cases, connecting a recordset with a DBChart and setting various properties can be doneusing the specific Chart editor.

Using the fields of a recordset for the source, the chart becomes a dynamic display that is updated asthe recordset if modified. You have a wide variety of chart type options to choose from and all of theparameters of the display can be controlled within an application.

In general, you fill a chart with data designated in one or more series; each series consists ofcategories and values. For example, to fill a chart with data about customer orders, you could add aseries that charts customer names as the categories and order amounts as the values.

The Chart editor is a one stop shop for all Chart and Series specific parameters. Once you have theDBChart component on a form, you should create one or more series. To accomplish this, open theChart Component Editor: select the component, right−click it, and choose the Edit Chart menu item.Use the Chart tab to define all you general chart parameters. Select the Series tab and you maychoose from your list of series to modify series specific features.

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We'll add two chart series. One that presents the sum of all the orders per company and second thatwill plot the total number of orders.

Chart tabTo add a data series press the Add button in the Series tab section of the Chart page.Now simply choose the graph you want to add from Gallery − we'll use the HorizontalBar. Once we've added the Series to the Chart some random values are displayed, inthe Chart at design−time, to easily follow any changes you are making.Note that a chart can have multiple series; if they are all of the same type they will

integrate better, as in the case of multiple bars.Now add a second series − again use the Horizontal Bar.

Series tabSelecting the Series tab (or double clicking the desired Series) allows you to edit your Series. SelectSeries1. Select the DataSource tab. Select "Dataset" from the drop down list. Select AdoQuery1 for thedataset. The next set of choices determine the way how the data form the datasource will appear onthe graph (different kinds of charts have different properties and methods). The exact contents of thepage will change depending on the Series type you have chosen. The Bar property determines whatvalue each bar is representing − pick SumItems from the list. The Labels property is used to drawlabels for each of the bars in the graph. Note that Lables drop down does not list the Company fieldfrom the recordset!

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BUG! When working with ADO recordset the Chart Editor does not list fields of the WideString type (forthe XLabels property). This bug is present in TeeChart v4.xx STANDARD that ships with Delphi 5 andDelphi 6. This is what I got as a reply from the authors of the TeeChart:"Well, all Delphi versions use the same TeeChart version (v4 STANDARD, I think D4−D6 andCB4−CB5 use the same version). We discovered this bug only when Delphi 5 was released. We fixedit, but not for TeeChart v4 STANDARD version (only for new v5 PRO version).The good news is user can still connect ADOQuery to specific series at runtime (via code):"

Series1.DataSource := ADOQuery1; Series1.XLabelsSource := ADOQuery1WideStringField1.FieldName; Series1.XValues.ValueSource := ADOQuery1FloatField1.FieldName; Series1.YValues.ValueSource := ''; { no YValues } Series1.CheckDataSource;

I believe we fixed it in TeeChart v5.01 (v5.00) release...Upgrading to the 5.01 release is not free.

Let's chart! − CodeOk, let's see what we can do about this bug. It seems that all the properties of the chart can be set withthe Chart Editor except those related to recordset. We'll simply (as suggested) set all from code. Addthe next code to the form's OnCreate even handler:

ADOQuery1.Close;DBChart1.Legend.Visible:=False;with DBChart1.SeriesList.Series[0] do begin DataSource := ADOQuery1; XLabelsSource := ADOQuery1Company.FieldName; XValues.ValueSource := ADOQuery1SumItems.FieldName; YValues.ValueSource := ''; Marks.Style := smsXValue; CheckDataSource;end; //withwith DBChart1.SeriesList.Series[1] do begin DataSource := ADOQuery1; XLabelsSource := ''; XValues.ValueSource := ADOQuery1NumOrders.FieldName; YValues.ValueSource := ''; CheckDataSource;end; //with

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ADOQuery1.Open;

Of course, I suggest you to browse through the Help system in order to find out about the commands,properties and methods used in this code.

Minor adjustments and notesIf you run the application, you'll notice that the chart is actually three−dimensional − set View3D toFalse − to display in two dimensions. You can prevent a legend from appearing in your chart by settingits Legend.Visible to False. The default value for Title is 'TDBChart' − change it as you like. Chart usesthe current recordset order (ORDER BY keyword in the SQL statement) to populate Series points. Thisorder can be overridden setting the Series values Order property.

That's it. It's not to easy, it's not to hard. Explore the Project's Code to find and learn more.

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Lookup! − DB Course/Chapter 15

Chapter fifteen of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. See how to use lookup fields in Delphi to achieve faster,better and safer data editing. Also, find how to create a new field for a dataset and discuss some of the key lookupproperties. Plus, take a look at how to place a combo box inside a DBGrid.

Back in the master−detail relationships chapter of this course, we've seen that in most cases onedatabase table is related to the data in one or more other tables.

Consider the next example. In our sample aboutdelphi.mdb database, Applications table lists Delphiapplications uploaded by the visitors to this site. Among other fields, the Author and Type fields arelinked with the corresponding fields in the Authors and Types tables. Only values from the AuthorNamefield in the Authors table can appear in the Author field of the Applications table. The same rule isapplied to the TypeName field (Types table) and the Type field (Applications table).Another situation: consider an application data entry form whose fields are connected to theApplications table. Let's say that this table has only one information related to the author of theapplication, an AuthorNo field corresponding to authors unique number. The Authors table, on theother hand, contains an AuthorNo field corresponding to authors UN, and also contains additionalinformation, such as the authors name, email and a web page. It would be convenient if the data entryform enabled a user to select the author by its name (and email) instead by its UN.

Lookup!If you have a Delphi form with data controls designed to allow editing the Applications table, you haveto make sure that only TypeName values from the Types table can be applied to the Types field of theApplication table. You also have to make sure that only AuthorName values from the Authors table canbe applied to the Author field of the Application table. The best way to make this sure is to provideusers with a string list to select the values from rather than having them enter values manually.

Both TDBLookupListBox and TDBLookupComboBox are data−aware controls that enable us to choosea value from another table or from a predefined list of values. This pair of components are so similarthat it makes sense to discuss only one of them. Both components are designed to list items fromeither a dataset or from a secondary datasource. We'll be looking at the TDBLookupComboBoxcomponent.

In this chapter, we'll see how to use lookup fields in Delphi to achieve faster, better and saferdata editing. We'll also see how to create a new field for a dataset and discuss some of the keylookup properties. Plus, take a look at how to place a combo box inside a DBGrid.

There are three ways you can set a lookup field in Delphi.

1. If you have a data form where all editings are done in a DBGrid, the best is to create a new (lookup)field for the dataset.2. If a form hosts a set of data controls (DBEdit, DBComboBox, etc.), it makes sense to just useDBLookupComboBox without creating a new field.3. The last one is to use columns of a DBGrid with its PickList property, again without creating a newfield. This approach is not a true lookup approach but you'll see that it can act as one. The PickList listvalues that the user can select for the field value − just like a standard DBComboBox − but inside aDBGrid. We'll make it to list values from another dataset, thus defining sa lookup.

We'll discuss each of them, but we first need to build a data entry form.

Creating a data entry formCreating a data editing form by hand is not to much complicated, as we already know. Whendeveloping database applications with Delphi (and ADO), most of the work is done inside the IDE bysimply connecting various components together, thus having to write no code. A typical data

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browsing/editing form presents a database table inside a DBGrid. Another way is to add several dataaware controls to a form and link them to the data source. We'll place both a DBGrid and several dataaware controls.

Have a new Delphi project with an empty form, then add the next set of components: oneAdoConnection, one DataSource and two ADOTables.Use the Object Inspector and connect all those components in the following way:First set the name of the ADOConnection component to be ADOConnection. Use ConnectionStringproperty to link to our aboutdelphi.mdb database (LoginPrompt = False). Set ADOTable1.Name =ApplicationTable, ADOTable2.Name = AuthorsTable. Set DataSource1.Name = ApplicationsSource.Set the Connection property of all ADOTable components to point to ADOConnection component. SetApplicationSource.DataSet = ApplicationsTable. Finally, set ApplicationTable.Table = Applications,AuthorsTable.Table = Authors. Finally, add a DBGrid (DBGrid1) to a form and Connect it withApplicationsSource.

Here is a list of relevant values, as can be seen in the dfm file for a form.

object ApplicationsTable: TADOTable Connection = ADOConnection TableName = 'Applications'

endobject AuthorsTable: TADOTable

Connection = ADOConnection TableName = 'Authors'

endobject ApplicationsSource: TDataSource

DataSet = ApplicationsTableendobject DBGrid1: TDBGrid

DataSource = ApplicationsSourceend

Double click the Applications table (Fields editor) and create a persistent set of field objects − pickName, Description, Type, Size and Author.

All set up (at least for now). It's time to see the first approach to lookup fields.

New ... lookup fieldTo crete a new field object you have to invoke the Fields editor for a dataset. Double click theApplicationsTable and right click it to have a pop up menu displayed. Pick "New field..."

The idea is to set the value for the Author field by picking it's email. I know this does not make muchsense, but it will bring the lookup idea closer. In the New field form fill the boxes as on the picture

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below. We create a new AEmail field for the ApplicationTable dataset. As you can see from the picture,there are few very important properties you have to understand prior to working with lookup fields.

.Field Name is the name of the lookup field. Set it to AEmail.

.Dataset identifies the dataset that contains lookup values (Authors).

.KeyFields is a field in the Applications dataset we are setting through a lookup.

.Lookup Keys is a field in the lookup dataset (Authors) to match against the KeyFields.

.ResultField is a field in the lookup dataset to return as the value of the lookup field you are creating.

That's it. No code required. Start your project (or set Active property for both tables to True) and youcan see that DBGrid, in the AName fields column, has a combo box with author emails. As you pick anemail the corresponding author field changes. We are looking up an authors email to change theauthor. Note that AEMail is a read−only field.

Note: the combo box in the cell of a DBGrid has nothing with the PickList property of Grid's column.This will be explained later in this chapter.

Lookup with DBLookupComboBoxAs stated above, when your data entry form is made of more data controls (DBEdit, DBComboBox,etc.) it makes sense to just use DBLookupComboBox without creating a new field.

For the start, use dragging from the Fields editor to add data controls to a form. Drag Name, Author,Type and Description. This will add 4 DBEdit components and 4 Label components. At this point,remove the DBEdit connected with the Author field of the Applications table and replace it with aDBLookupComboBox. Name it ApplicationsAuthorLookup. We'll also need another DataSourcecomponent. Drop one on the form, change the name to AuthorsSource and link it to AuthorsTable.Finally, we need to set the lookup combo box to work properly. Use Object Inspector and set the

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following:

object ApplicationsAuthorLookup: TDBLookupComboBox DataSource = ApplicationsSource DataField = 'Author' ListSource = AuthorsSource KeyField = 'authorname' ListField = 'authorname;email'end

These properties are key to the lookup connection:

. DataSource and DataField determine the main connection. The DatField is a field into which we insertthe looked−up values.. ListSource is the source of the lookup dataset.. KeyField identifies the field in the ListSource that must match the value of the DataField field.. ListFields is the field (one or more) of the lookup dataset that are actually displayed in the combo.ListField can show more than one field. Multiple field names should be separated by semicolons. Youhave to set large enough value for the DropDownWidth (of a ComboBox) to really see multiple columnsof data.

Just for practice, replace the Type's field DBEdit with DBLookComboBox and set a lookup relation withthe Types table. Note that you need one more DataSource and one more ADO Table pointing to theTypes table.Set the DataSource and DataField properties to the dataset and field where the selection will be written(Applications; Type). Set the ListSource, KeyField and ListField properties to the lookup field fromwhich the list should be populated (Types; TypeName, TypeName).

Graphically, connections between tables, sources and ADOConnections can now be presented as:

That's it. Again, no code required. When the user selects an item from the combo box, an appropriatevalue of the KeyField field changes the value of the DataField. At run time, the form looks like:

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Note 1: When you want to display more than one field in a LookupComboBox, as in the exampleabove, you have to make sure that all columns are visible. This is done by setting the DropDownWidthproperty. However, you'll see that initially you have to set this to a very large value which results indropped list being too wide in most cases. One workaround is to set the DisplayWidth of a particularField shown in a drop down list. The next code snippet, placed inside the OnCreate event for the form,ensures that both author name and it's email are displayed inside the drop down list. AuthorsTable.FieldByName('authorname').DisplayWidth:=15; AuthorsTable.FieldByName('email').DisplayWidth:=20;

Note 2 : If you drag AEmail field from a Field Editor to a form, Delphi will connect it with aDBLookupComboBox automatically. Of course, key lookup properties will look different since we don'tneed another data source for this link to work − lookup field is already defined "inside" theApplicationsTable/Source.

Lookup inside a PickList of a DBGrid ColumnThe last approach to having a lookup values displayed inside a DBGrid is to use the PickList propertyof a DBGrid Column object. You'll usually add Columns to a DBGird when you want to define how acolumn appears and how the data in the column is displayed. A customized grid enables you toconfigure multiple columns to present different views of the same dataset (different column orders,different field choices, and different column colors and fonts, for example).

I will not discuss this topic briefly here. Let's just see what are the steps to add columns to a DBGrid.1. Right−click the DBGgrid component. This pops up the Columns Editor.2. Right−click the Columns Editor to invoke the context menu and choose Add All Fields. This createsone column for each field in a dataset and connects them − the FieldName property determines theconnection.

While you have the Columns Editor displayed, see that each column has a PickList property. We'll usethis String List to fill a list of lookup values. Take a look at the AEMail column, its FieldName points to alookup field − therefore displaying a combo box inside a DBGrid as we saw at the beginning of thisarticle. However its PickList is empty. What I want to show you here is how to fill that String List withvalues from another dataset at run time − without creating a new lookup field. In general, a pick listcolumn looks and works like a lookup list, except that the drop−down list is populated with the list ofvalues in the column's PickList property instead of from a lookup table. The reason to show how to usePickList to mimic the lookup list is just to show that the same task can be done in several ways whenyou have a great toll like Delphi.

What we want to do is to fill a PickList with the values from another dataset at run time − this time usingPascal code. We'll use the Form's OnCreate event.

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procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);var AuthorsList:TStringList; i:integer;begin AuthorsList:=TStringList.Create;

try AuthorsTable.First; AuthorsTable.DisableControls;

while not AuthorsTable.EOF do begin AuthorsList.Add( AuthorsTable.FieldByName(

'authorname').AsString); AuthorsTable.Next;

end; //whilefinally

//place the list it the correct columnfor i:=0 to DBGrid1.Columns.Count−1 do begin

if DBGrid1.Columns[i].FieldName = 'Author'then begin

DBGrid1.Columns[i].PickList:=AuthorsList; Break;

end;//ifend; //for

AuthorsTable.EnableControls; AuthorsList.Free;

end; //tryend;

The code simply fills the AuthorsList with the values of AuthorName, by iterating through the Authorstable. It then assigns the contents of the AuthorsList to the PickList whose FiledName point to theAuthor field. Since we can change the order of columns at design and run time you have to make surethat the correct PickList get's the values.

That's all for this chapter. Make sure you download code for this project.

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Compacting an Access database with ADO and Delphi − DBCourse/Chapter 16

Chapter sixteen of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. While working in a database application you changedata in a database, the database becomes fragmented and uses more disk space than is necessary. Periodically, you cancompact your database to defragment the database file. This article shows how to use JRO from Delphi in order to compactan Access database from code.

Why compactingWhile you add and delete records from database tables, your database becomes more and morefragmented and uses disk space inefficiently. Compacting a database makes a copy of the database,rearranging how the database file is stored on disk. The compacted database is usually smaller andoften runs faster.This chapter of the free database course for Delphi beginners shows how to use JRO fromDelphi in order to compact an Access database from code.

JRO TLBADO does not directly expose a method for compacting a database.By using Jet and Replication Objects (JRO), you can compactdatabases, refresh data from the cache, and create and maintainreplicated databases. The JRO exposes two objects, the JetEngineobject and the Replica object. The Replica object is used tomanipulate replicated databases. We will not deal with databasereplications in this chapter. By using the Jet Engine object we canprogrammatically control compacting and refreshing data from thememory cache.

As with ADOX, the JRO library must be imported in Delphi, since it is not a part of the ADOExpress (ordbGo in D6). The description of the ADOX library is "Microsoft Jet and Replication Objects 2.x Library(Version 2.x)". The JRO library file name is MSJRO.dll. We've already seen the steps needed to importa type library in Delphi (ADOX). The same process should be repeated in this case. To import JRO inDelphi you need to open a new project and Select Project | Import Type Library. In the dialog boxchoose "Microsoft Jet and Replication Objects 2.x Library (Version 2.x)". Note that it will add two newclasses, the TReplica and TJetEngine. Press Install button to add JRO to a package or press Createunit to just create a single interface unit. If you click Install, two new icons will appear on the ActiveXtab (if you have left the default Palette page on the Dialog).

Note: Delphi 6 users will not succeed in importing JRO type library. If you have Delphi 6, while trying toinstall the library in a package, an error will pop up indicating that ActiveConnection in the JRO_TLBfile doesn't exist (along with some other errors). The problem lies in Delphi 6 TLB importer. There aretwo options to overcome the problem: 1. Use Delphi 5 to import JRO an then install it in Delphi 6. 2.Manually declare the missing ActiveConnection property and change property declarations to makethem writeable.

Compact Delphi ProjectIt's time to see some code. Create a new Delphi application with one form. Add two Edit controls and aButton. From the ActiveX component page pick JetEngine. The first Edit should be renamed toedSource, the second one to edDest. The button should be renamed to btnComapct. The JetEngineshould be renamed to JE. It should all look like:

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The TJetEngine class has a CompactDatabase method. The method takes two parameters: the ADOconnection string for the source as well for the destination database. CompactDatabase methodcompacts a database and gives you the option of changing its version, password, collating order andencryption.Encrypting a database makes it indecipherable by a utility program or word processor. Encrypteddatabases can still be opened by Access or through Delphi code. The proper way to protect a databaseis to set a password for it. Collation order is used for string comparison in the database. Changing adatabase version gives you the way to "upgrade" it.

In our form, the edSource is used to specify the database we want to compact. The edDest specifiesthe destination database. Within the connection strings, you specify various connection properties todetermine how the source database is opened and how the destination database is compacted. At aminimum, you must use the Data Source property in each connection string to specify the path andname of the database.When you use the CompactDatabase method, you can't save the compacted database to the samename as the original database. CompactDatabase also requires that the destination database does notexist.

The next code (btnCompact OnClick event handler) is an example of the CompactDatabase method:

procedure TForm1.btnCompactClick(Sender: TObject);var dbSrc : WideString; dbDest : WideString;const SProvider = 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source=';begin dbSrc := SProvider + edSource.Text; dbDest := SProvider + edDest.Text;

if FileExists(edDest.Text) then DeleteFile(edDest.Text);

JE.CompactDatabase(dbSrc,dbDest);end;

Note that the above code presumes an Access 2000 database. Microsoft Jet OLEDB 4.0 is the defaultdata engine for Access 2000.

In many cases you'll want to have the same database name after the compact operation. SinceedSource and edDest can't be the same your code should replace the original file with the compactedversion. The next function takes only one parameter − the name of the database you want to compact:

function DatabaseCompact (const sdbName: WideString) : boolean;var

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JE : TJetEngine; //Jet Engine sdbTemp : WideString; //TEMP database sdbTempConn : WideString; //Connection stringconst SProvider = 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source=';begin Result:=False; sdbTemp := ExtractFileDir(sdbName) +

'TEMP' + ExtractFileName(sdbName); sdbTempConn := SProvider + sdbtemp;

if FileExists(sdbTemp) then DeleteFile(sdbTemp); JE:= TJetEngine.Create(Application);

trytry

JE.CompactDatabase(SProvider + sdbName, sdbTempConn); DeleteFile(sdbName); RenameFile(sdbTemp, sdbName);

excepton E:Exception do

ShowMessage(E.Message);end;

finally JE.FreeOnRelease; Result:=True;

end;end;

The DatabaseCompact receives a sdbName string parameter with the full name of the database youwant to compact. The function returns True if compact is successful False otherwise. The sdbName iscompacted in sdbTemp, the sdbName is then deleted and sdbTemp renamed to sdbName. TheDatabaseCompact could be called as:

DatabaseCompact('C:\ADP\aboutdelphi.mdb');

The DatabaseCompact function is ideal to be called from within your Delphi ADO application as anexternal application. It could also be written as a console mode application that takes one commandline parameter (or more) since it requires no GUI.

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Database reports with Delphi and ADO − DB Course/Chapter 17

Chapter seventeen of the free Delphi Database Course for beginners. How to use QuickReport set of components to createdatabase reports with Delphi. See how to produce database output with text, images, charts and memos − quickly andeasily.

In programming (database) terminology reports are printed documents containing data from adatabase. To generate reports with Delphi we generally use special reporting tools. In most cases suchtools are available from third−party developers. One set of components, QuickReport from QuSoft,comes with Delphi as a set of VCL components.

In this chapter of the free database course, you'll see how to use QuickReport set ofcomponents to create database reports with Delphi; how to produce database output with text,images, charts and memos − quickly and easily.

QuickReport is designed to let us produce database reports aswell as reports based on text files and string lists. QuickReportlets us create print previews where the user can check theresult of a printout without wasting paper, and export data toother file formats, such as plain ASCII, comma separatedvalues (CSV), MS Excel XLS, Rich Text RTF and HTML. By

using the components on the QReport page of the Component palette, you can visually build bandedreports to present and summarize the information in your database tables and queries. You can addsummaries to group headers or footers to analyze the data based on grouping criteria.

Report TypesAmong many different types of database reports, three are most common:

List reports look like a table (or a DBGrid), each row containg data from a row in a recordset.• Label reports present data inside rectangular areas. This type of report is mostly used when printingenvelopes.

•

Master−detail reports are used when report contains data from two linked recordsets. In general,several detail records follow the appropriate master record. This type of report requires parent−childrelationship between two recordsets.

•

The simplest way to create a report is to use the QuickReport Wizard located on the Forms page(Delphi 5) of the New Items dialog. We'll pick the QuickReport List − this creates a new form with themain reporting component TQuickRep. This component acts as a container for several TQrBandcomponents containing TQrLabels. There is also a TTable component on that form.

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We are not going into details about QuickReport here, since there is a comprehensive tutorial onusing the QuickReport set of components with Delphi available on this site.

Quick ADO Delphi reportUnfortunately the Wizard crates a reporting template for BDE based database application, by placingthe TTable component on a form along with DB and DBTables units in the uses clause. To prepare theform for our aboutdelphi.mdb MS Access database and ADO you need to delete the TTable from theform as well as the DB and DBTables units from the forms uses clause.

We'll now create a simple list report containing data from the Applications table. First make sure thenewly created form is the default for the project (Project | Options | Forms). Second add theTADOTable component on a form, set it's Connection property to point to the aboutdelphi.mdbdatabase (this time were not going to use ADOConnection) and set the Table property to Application.Third, remove the TitleBand1 (TQrBand), PageFooterBand1 (TQrBand) and the ColumnHeaderBand1(TQrBand). Also, remove the QRLabel2 from the DetailBand1. This leaves us with only ADOTable1,QuickRep1 and DetailBand1. To link QuickReport1 with ADOTable1 set it's Dataset property to point toADOTable1.

The next step is to place several TQRDBText components on DetailBand1, one for each field we wantto print, and set their Dataset property to ADOTable1. Add three QRDBText components, let thempoint to Author, Type and Description fields of the Applications table.To see the report at design time set ADOTable1.Active to True, right click the QuickRep1 componentand select Preview. This is something similar to what you should see:

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To show this preview window at run time, we need to call the Preview method of the TQuickRepcomponent.

procedure TQRListForm.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);begin QRListForm.QuickRep1.Preview;end;

Note that when previewing the report, Delphi (QuickReport) uses the standard QuickReport previewform. If you want to change the appearance or behaviour of this form you can create your own previewform with the TQRPreview component.

To send this report to a printer use the Print method.

Charts and ImagesIn many cases you'll need to create reports that consist of other elements like charts or images.Creating a report with chart is simple. Just pick the TQRChart component and use it as explained it theCharting with Databases chapter. To show a picture stored inside an Access database you should usethe TQRImage (not TQRDBImage) component. Since there are some "problems" with displayingpictures inside Access you should consider the Pictures inside a database chapter.

To the next chapterThat's it. I just wanted to inform you about printing options with ADO Delphi based solutions. Youshould be aware that beside QuickReport components there are other reporting tools available to aDelphi developer. You can even use Automation to control MS Word and use it as a reporting tool. Ifyou need any kind of help so far, please post to the Delphi Programming Forum where all thequestions are answered and beginners are treated as experts.

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Data Modules − DB Course/Chapter 18

How to use the TDataModule class − central location for collecting and encapsulating data access objects, their properties,events and code.

When developing simple database applications (with one or two forms) it is quite usual to place all thedata−access components on a form with data−aware components. But if you plan on reusing groups ofdatabase and system objects, or if you want to isolate the parts of your application that handledatabase connectivity and business rules, then Delphi's Data Modules provide a convenientorganizational tool.

This chapter of the free database course for Delphi beginners shows how to use Data Modulesin Delphi (ADO) database development to partition an application into user interface,application logic and data.

Data modules provide a formal mechanism for collecting and encapsulating DataSet and DataSourceobjects, their attributes, events and code (business rules) in one central location. Data modules cancontain only nonvisual components and are generally used in database and Web development. Theyprovide Delphi developers a visual way to manipulate and code non−visual components of anapplication.

Generally, a TDataModule class is used for some of the purposes:

− Sharing data access components and codeUse a TDataModule to provide a location for centralized handling of nonvisual components. Typicallythese are data access components (TADOConnection, TADOTable, TADOQuery, TADOCommand,etc), but they can also be other nonvisual components. This is convenient when an application hasmultiple forms that share the same data access provider − if your application operates on only onedatabase file (one mdb) then you'll need only one TADOConnection component for all the datasetcomponents.

− Design time visual organizationAt design time, the Diagram page in the Code editor provides visual tools for setting up logicalrelationships among the components on the data module. You can drag a property connector from onecomponent to another to hook them up. Drag a master−detail connector between tables to join them.You reach the persistent datasets fields much faster than when using the fields editor.

− Business rules centralizationIn the unit file for the data module a Delphi developer may also place any business rules that are to beapplied to the application. These are the controls that prevent invalid data begin entered into adatabase and ensuring that valid data is maintained within the database.

− Code maintenanceData modules make code maintenance easier since you only have to change code in one placeinstead of in every form − especially when having common db functions located in a data module or ifwe create an application with several forms serving the same database tables and/or queries.

New ... Data ModuleTo create a data module at design time, choose File | New | Data Module. At design time, a datamodule looks like a standard Delphi form with a white background and no alignment grid. At run timedata module exists only in memory. DataModule has only two properties, Name and Tag, and twoevents, OnCreate and OnDestroy. Use the Name property when referring to module's objects fromother units.

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DataModules are not limited to data access components, they can also contain other nonvisualcomponents, such as TMainMenu, TTimer, TSaveDialog or TPopUpMenu).

You place all the components in the right pane ("Components") of data module's window. The treeview on the left is for navigation purposes.

Note: in Delphi versions prior to version 6, the TDataModule class was defined in the Forms unit.Delphi 6 moves TDataModule class to the Classes unit to allow smaller GUI−less applications to bewritten and to separate OS independent classes. In Delphi 6, the Tree diagram and the Data Diagramare separated. The Diagram page on the Code editor provides visual tools for setting relationshipsamong non−visual (and visual) components.

When you select the Data Diagram page (for the first time), you are presented with an empty container,in which you can drag any object from the Tree View and then link those objects. Relationships includeparent/child, datasource/dataset and similar. For example, after moving a TADOTable andTADOConnection to the Diagram view, you select the Property connector icon, click the ADOTable anddrag to the ADOConnection. The connection will be made: TADOTable.Connection property will pointto ADOConnection component − as can be seen in the Object Inspector.

To make the data module available to another unit in the application, select that unit, then chooseFile|Use Unit to add the data module to the uses clause for the unit. If you have several forms that referto the same data module, make sure the data module is created before it is referenced from those form− or you'll get an access violation error.When refering to a dataset like ADOTable1 (on a data module, named uDM) from some data browsingform (let's say form1) your code will look like:

// some procedure in form1 uDM.ADOTable1.Open;

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Handling database errors − DB Course/Chapter 19

Introducing error handling techniques in Delphi ADO database application development. Find out about global exceptionhandling and dataset specific error events. See how to write an error logging procedure.

One of the most important elements of database programming is handling database errors. Any robust(database) application must contain error trapping mechanism to prevent an inexperienced (orcareless) user to, for example, input a bad value into a data field or delete a record that should not bedeleted. Another error might pop up while trying to connect to a database that does not exist.

Our goal in this chapter of the free database course is to introduce error handling techniques inDelphi ADO database application. You can learn about errors and exceptions (general, not databasespecific) in the article entitled Errors and Exceptions.

There are several approaches we can use to handle database related errors. One approach is to letDelphi show the exception message, but it is much more user friendly to try to correct the error andshow some more details on the error:

Global exception handling allows you to create a single procedure to handle any exceptions thatmay occur in a program. You write a code for the OnException event of the global Application objectby using the ApplicationEvents component. This code is then used to handle not just databaserelated errors but any error that may appear while the application is running.

•

Handling dataset's specific events is an another approach. Events like OnPostError, OnEditError,OnInsertError and similar occur when an attempt to post a record, edit or insert fails. All those eventsare dataset specific.

•

Surrounding risky database operations with try−except and try−finally blocks, such as a call to theExecute statement of the ADOQuery object is another way to trap a possible exception.

•

EDatabaseError, EADOError, OLE exceptionsWhen developing Delphi ADO based database solutions you should be aware of the several types ofexceptions. In general, information that describes the conditions of a database error can be obtainedfor use by an application through the use of an EDatabaseError exception. The more ADO specificexception object is the ADOError object raised when an application detects errors generated by ADOdatasets.Finally, since ADO is based on OLE, OLE exceptions (EOLEError, EOLEException andEOLESysError) might occur, in a Delphi application, during an attempt to invoke a method or propertyof an OLE automation object − ADO Express (dbGO in D6) components that implement ADO in Delphiare built as wrappers around the ADO objects. When we use ADO extensions like ADOX or JROlibraries OLE exceptions may occur, too.

Error information and managementAll the types of exceptions that may occur in a Delphi application are deriveed from the Exceptionclass, which provides a set of properties and methods that can be used to handle error conditions in agraceful manner.

In situations where an ADO dataset is used without any data aware components (reporting, loopingthrough a recordset, etc) we can use exception handling blocks:

try ADOTable.Open;

excepton E:Exception dobegin

MessageDlg('Error Opening Table ' + E.ClassName,

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mtError, [mbOK], 0); LogError(E);

end;end;

In the except block, you use a series of on/do statements to check for different exceptions. When usingthe Exception for E your code will handle all exceptions that occur. In the MessageDlg we display theerror message and the exception class (E.ClassName). For example, if you try to open a table that isexclusively opened by some other user (Table design in MS Access) you'll get an EOLEError.

When handling dataset's specific events (for example OnPostError for ADOTable dataset) we writecode for the appropriate events.

procedure TForm1.ADOTablePostError( DataSet: TDataSet; E: EDatabaseError;

var Action: TDataAction);begin LogError (E); //custom error loggin procedure { Show some message to the user about the failure of the the post operation.. } Action := daAbort;end;

The Action parameter indicates how an application should respond to a database error condition. If youare able to determine the cause of the error and fix it, you use the daRetry action − Delphi will try tore−execute the Post method. The daAbort action should be specified when you handle the error (showsome meaningful message) and there is no need for the exception to "go" the the global exceptionhandler (Application.OnException). The daFial is the default action.

If your application provides the event handler for the OnException event of the ApplicationEventscomponent, all the exceptions can be handled in one place:

procedure TForm1.ApplicationEventsException (Sender: TObject; E: Exception);begin LogError (E); //custom error logging procedure end;

The message property (of the Exception object) can be used to show a message on the screen, savethe message in some log file, or combine some specific message information with our own custommessage.

Error logging procedureIn most situations it is a good idea to have some error logging procedure that writes every error to atext file. The LogError procedure below uses the TStringList object to store information of the currenterror in a file named error.log (in the application folder).

procedure LogError(E:Exception);var sFileName : string; errLogList : TStringList;begin sFileName := ExtractFilePath(Application.EXEName) + 'error.log';

errLogList := TStringList.Create;try

if FileExists(sFileName) then errLogList.LoadFromFile(sFileName);

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with errLogList dobegin

Add('Error Time Stamp: ' + FormatDateTime('hh:nn am/pm', Now) +

' on ' + FormatDateTime('mm/dd/yy', Now)); Add('Error Class: ' + E.ClassName); Add('Error Message: ' + E.Message); SaveToFile(sFileName);

end; //withfinally

errLogList.Free;end;

end;

When you open the error.log file with some text editor, you'll get something like:

...Error Time Stamp: 02:49 pm on 10.30.01Error Class: EOleExceptionError Message: Table 'djelatnici' is exclusively locked by user......

ADO Errors collectionAny operation involving ADOExpress components can generate one or more errors. As each erroroccurs, one or more Error objects are placed in the Errors collection of the ADOConnectioncomponent. You must note that error objects represent individual errors from the provider and are notADO−specific, this means that the "same" error will be reported differently by MS Access anddifferently by MS SQL Server. When an error occurs, the provider is responsible for passing an errortext to ADO. In Delphi, using the Errors Collection object directly is not recommended unless you arefamiliar with connection object operations.The Error property of TADOConnection component represents the Errors object and has severalproperties. The Description property contains the text of the error. The Number property contains thelong value of the error constant. The Count property indicates the number of Error objects currentlystored in the collection. To get the Description of the last error in the Errors object you can use the nextstatement:ADOConnection1.Errors.Item[ADOConnection1.Errors.Count−1].Description;

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From ADO Query to HTML − DB Course/Chapter 20

How to export your data to HTML using Delphi and ADO. This is the first step in publishing your database on the Internet −see how to create a static HTML page from an ADO query.

In this chapter, of the free database Delphi ADO course, you are going to see how to easily createHTML pages based on database information. In particular, you'll see how to open a query from an MSAccess database with Delphi and loop through the contents generating an HTML page for each row ina recordset.

Start a new application − this creates an empty Delphi form.Add the following data components :

TAdoConnection (name: AdoConnection1)• TAdoQuery (name: AdoQuery1)• TDataSource (name: DataSource1)• TDBGrid (name: DBGrid1)•

To display the generated HTML you'll need several more components to be dropped on a form.

TWebBrowser (name: WebBrowser1) − used to display the generated HTML.• TMemo (name: Memo1) − used to display the text of the generate HTML.• TButton (name: Button1) − used to open a query, create the HTML code and display it.•

This is how your form should look at design time (in the middle of the form there is a WebBrowsercomponent)

The first thing you need to do when working with a database in Delphi and ADO, is to set relationsbetween data access components then open a database connection. Just to test your knowledge we'lllink all DB related components from code (no need to use the Object Inspector). You place the code inthe OnCreate event for the form (plus some extra code to pre−set other components):

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);var ConStr: widestring;beginConStr := 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;'+

'Data Source=C:\!gajba\About\aboutdelphi.mdb;'+'Persist Security Info=False';

DBGrid1.DataSource := DataSource1;DataSource1.DataSet := ADOQuery1;ADOQuery1.Connection := ADOConnection1;ADOConnection1.ConnectionString := ConStr;ADOConnection1.LoginPrompt:=False;

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Edit1.Text:='SELECT * FROM [tablename]';Memo1.Text:='';end;

The next step is to get the recordset by opening a query so we can get access to the data. The querytext is in the Edit1 components Text property. The code should be placed in the OnClick event of aButton1 (as described below).

ADOQuery1.SQL.Text:=Edit1.Text; ADOQuery1.Open;

HTML codeHTML is the most widely spread format for content on the Web. If your knowledge onHTML is low, please consider visiting About's HTML site. Here's a really quick info onhtml: in general, a HTML page consists of text, plain ASCII text. An HTML file cancontain many, so called, tags which determine the style of the font, formating of theparagraph, ... You use special tags to create a table with rows and columns.

After we've opened up a recordset, we loop through the records creating a table for each entry. Prior togenerating a HTML table, we create the HTML header, title and body. We first loop through the fieldnames to create a table header, then loop through the recordset to create and fill table rows.

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);var shtml : widestring; htmlfile : TextFile; i : integer; AvailableFields: set of TFieldType;beginAvailableFields:=[ftWideString, ftDate, ftFloat];//open queryADOQuery1.SQL.Text:=Edit1.Text;ADOQuery1.Open;

// −−> create a html page

//html header shtml:= '<html> <head> <title>'; shtml:= shtml + Edit1.Text; shtml:= shtml +'</title></head>' + #13#10; shtml:= shtml + '<body>' + #13#10; shtml:= shtml + 'Table created fromquery: <i>' + Edit1.Text + '</i>' + #13#10; //table header shtml:= shtml + '<table border="1"width="100%">' + #13#10; shtml:= shtml + '<tr>' + #13#10; for i:=0 to AdoQuery1.FieldCount−1 dobegin if ADOQuery1.Fields[i].DataType in AvailableFields then begin shtml:= shtml + '<td>'; shtml:=shtml + '<b>' + ADOQuery1.Fields[i].DisplayName + '</b>'; shtml:= shtml + '</td>' + #13#10; end;end;{for} shtml:= shtml + '</tr>' + #13#10; //table body while not adoquery1.Eof do begin shtml:=shtml + '<tr>' + #13#10; for i:=0 to AdoQuery1.FieldCount−1 do begin ifADOQuery1.Fields[i].DataType in AvailableFields then begin shtml:= shtml + '<td>'; shtml:= shtml +ADOQuery1.Fields[i].AsString; shtml:= shtml + '</td>' + #13#10; end; end;{for} shtml:= shtml + '</tr>'+ #13#10; ADOQuery1.Next; end;{while} shtml:= shtml + '</table>' + #13#10; shtml:= shtml +'</body></html>';

Note: for the sake of simplicity, we'll allow only string, number and date fields to be converted andinserted in a html table. The AvailableFields variable is a set of TFieldTypes declared as:AvailableFields: set of TFieldType; in the VAR section and assigned like:AvailableFields:=[ftWideString, ftDate, ftFloat];

Once you have the shtml string variable filled with the HTML, we simply show it in the Memo, save thehtml string to the disk (in the text file that has the applications name, extension is set to htm), and

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finally navigate to the saved file in a WebBrowser.

// −−> assign to memo Memo1.Text := shtml;

// −−> save in a htm file AssignFile(htmlfile, ChangeFileExt( Application.ExeName,'.htm')); Rewrite(htmlfile); WriteLn(htmlfile, shtml); CloseFile(htmlfile);

// −−> browse to the file WebBrowser1.Navigate(ChangeFileExt( Application.ExeName,'.htm'));

end;{Button1.OnClick}

Now start the project, write some valid query string in the Edit component, like SELECT * FROMauthors, click the Button1, and this is what you should get:

It is clear that you can easily configure this code to determine which fields to include and which not,how to sort the database, which filters to apply (you can use WHERE in your SQL statement), and setthe HTML file look (Colors, Fonts, etc). Download the projects code and start exporting your data toHTML.

The TCustomContentProducer componentsAnother way of converting database query results to html pages is to use some of the descendants ofthe TCustomContentProducer component. The components (PageProducer, DataSetTableProducer,QueryTableProducer, ...) are located on the Internet page of the component palette − if your Delphi

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version includes them. We'll be looking at some of those components in the next chapter.

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Using ADO in Delphi 3 and 4 (before AdoExpress) − DBCourse/Chapter 21

How to import Active Data Objects (ADO) type−libraries in Delphi 3 and 4 to create a wrapper around components thatencapsulate the functionality of ADO objects, properties and methods.

Article submitted by: Richard Sutcliffe.

Chapter 21 of the free Delphi ADO DB Couse for beginners.

With the advent of Delphi 5 Enterprise, Borland introduced ADO Express, the first time Delphi has everprovided database access without the BDE. The reason behind this whas simple, the BDE had its day.COM development was becoming the norm and the BDE was unfortunately incompatible.

Unfortunately, the ADO Express components aren't without their flaws aither. One of the main (nowfixed) bugs was the dreaded 'either BOF or EOF is true or the record has been deleted error. On top ofthis, the components were uncomfortably shoe−horned into BDE−style component interfaces.

Which leaves us with a quandry over what to do if we want to use Active Data Objects (ADO) in ourDelphi applications; after all there are many benefits − ADO is faster, with native support for some ofthe more common Microsoft database engines, and you don't have to live with the old BDE distributionproblem as all recent versions of Windows have support built right in.

Delphi does provide an answer, however, in its amazing support for type−libraries and all things COM,by allowing you to import the type−library and automatically creating a wrapper.

MSADOxx.TLB − Ado Type LibraryTo import the ADO type library go to the File menu and select Open... From the Files of type comboselect Type Library, and browse to the ADO folder (usually found in \PROGRAM FILES\COMMONFILES\SYSTEM\). The ADO type−libraries are named MSADOxx.TLB. The number on the end willdepend on the version of Windows you have installed (ADO is also installed by Office and many otherprograms). The latest version as of writing is 2.7, which you can download from Microsoft.

Once Delphi has finished processing the MSADOxx.TLB file, it will present you with an editor showingall the types, interfaces, etc it has read from the type−library. Pressing F12 at this point will display thePascal wrapper unit ADODB_TLB.PAS (if the file−path isn't the BORLAND\DELPHIx\IMPORTS\ folderyou may wish to move this so subsequent projects can find it).

You can at this point use the ADODB_TLB unit by adding it into your projects USES clause, howeverthere are some problems to be overcome.

Microsoft's VARIANT typeThe first is how to handle Microsoft's VARIANT type. Delphi's equivalent is OLEVARIANT, though mostprogrammers will be used to the native STRING, INTEGER and the like. Again this is something Delphihandles with ease with an array of functions such as VarCast. Below is an example of a function thatallows us to cast variants into something easier to swallow:

function oleGetStr(value: oleVariant): string;var index, lowVal, highVal : integer; oleArray: PSafeArray; oleObj : oleVariant;begin result := '';

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trycase VarType(value) of

varEmpty, varNull: result := ''; varSmallint, varInteger, varByte, varError: result := IntToStr(value); varSingle, varDouble, varCurrency: result := FloatToStr(value); varDate: result := DateTimeToStr(value); varOleStr, varStrArg, varString: result := value; varBoolean:

if value then result := 'True'

else result := 'False'; varDispatch, // do not remove IDispatch! varVariant, varUnknown, varTypeMask:

begin VarAsType(value, varOleStr); result := value;

end;else

if VarIsArray(value) thenbegin

VarArrayLock(value); index := VarArrayDimCount(value); lowVal := VarArrayLowBound(value, index); highVal := VarArrayHighBound(value, index); oleArray := TVariantArg(value).pArray;

for index := lowVal to highVal dobegin

SafeArrayGetElement(oleArray, index, oleObj); result := result + oleGetStr(oleObj) + #13#10;

end;

VarArrayUnlock(value); Delete(result, length(result) − 1, 2);

endelse

result := ''; //varAny, varByRefend;

except// do nothing, just capture

end;end;

Once you know how to import type−libraries & handle variant types, Microsoft's MSDN site will becomeyour best friend. There is no way Borland could keep up with the new type−libraries and technologieschurned out by Microsoft, however by utilizing MSDN you can find out exactly what each methodexpects and returns and the wrapper unit will allow you to see exactly how this converts into ObjectPascal.

An example of this can be found in the function below:

function adoConnect( connectionStr: string; userName: string = '';

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password: string = '' ): oleVariant;begin result := CreateOleObject('ADODB.Connection');

if (VarType(result) = varDispatch) thenif (userName <> '') then

result.Open(connectionStr, userName, password)else

result.Open(connectionStr);end;

This function allows us to open up an ADO connection by passing in a connection string (a collection ofparameters parsed by ADO describing the database & provider), and optionally the required usernameand password.

The example above uses what is termed late−binding, the disadvantage of this approach being thatDelphi cannot interpret what is being called until runtime, however it does allow you better support asthe automatic type−library conversion process cannot convert every method available. The alternative,early−binding, utilizes the classes & methods as defined in the Delphi wrapper unit and as such allowyou to use features such as code−completion, although is much more restrictive. An example ofearly−binding is shown below:

function adoGetDisconnectedRecordset( adoCon: oleVariant; adoSQL: string): oleVariant;var data: RecordSet;begin data := CoRecordset.Create;

try data.CursorLocation := adUseClient;

data.Open( adoSQL, adoCon.ConnectionString, adOpenKeyset, adLockBatchOptimistic, adCmdText );

data.Set_ActiveConnection(nil);

result := data;finally

data := nil;end;

end;

Now that you know how to interpret type−libraries you can apply your knowledge to other Microsoft andthird−party technologies, such as XML and MTS.

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Transactions in Delphi ADO database development − DBCourse/Chapter 22

How many times have you wanted to insert, delete or update a lot of records collectively wanting that either all of them getexecuted or if there is an error then none is executed at all? This article will show you how to post or undo a series ofchanges made to the source data in a single call.

The general idea behind a transaction is that several steps can be performed in series, with thecapability to undo all of the steps at once if needed. In addition, the transaction should happen insidean isolated world where other transactions cannot change data while your transaction is running.

For example, to transfer money between two bank accounts, you subtract an amount from one accountand add the same amount to the other. If either update fails, the accounts no longer balance. Treatingthese changes as a single event ensures either all or none of the changes apply.

In this chapter of the free Delphi ADO database course we'll see how to enable transactionprocessing in Delphi ADO development.

BeginTrans, CommitTrans, RollBackTransDatabase transactions are a means to allow a user to do many operations on a recordset or not to doany of them. There is no such thing in a transaction that one task is done and other is not. Transactionsare always executed as a *whole*. By using transactions, you ensure that the database is not left in aninconsistent state when a problem occurs completing one of the actions that make up the transaction.

In Delphi ADO's transaction processing, 3 methods are used with the TADOConnection object to saveor cancel changes made to the data source.

Once you call the BeginTrans method, the provider will no longer instantaneously commit any changesyou make until you call CommitTrans or RollbackTrans to end the transaction.

Transaction LevelThe IsolationLevel property is the level of transaction isolation for a TADOConnection object. Thepurpose of the isolation level is to define how other transactions can interact with your transactions,when they work with the same tables. For example, can you see changes in other transactions beforeor after they are committed? This property only goes into effect after you make a BeginTrans methodcall.

Transaction processingTo start a transaction call the BeginTrans method of the TADOConnection object. BeginTrans returnsthe nesting level of the new transaction. A return value of "1" indicates you have opened a top−leveltransaction (that is, the transaction is not nested within another transaction), "2" indicates that you haveopened a second−level transaction (a transaction nested within a top−level transaction), and so forth.Once the BeginTrans is executed, the OnBeginTransComplete event is triggered and the InTransactionproperty to True.

Note: Since transactions can be nested, all lower−level transactions must be resolved before you canresolve higher−level transactions.

Once you have started a transaction, a call to commit the transaction is usually attempted in atry...except block. If the transaction cannot commit successfully, you can use the except block tohandle the error and retry the operation or to roll back the transaction.

var Level: integer;begin Level:=ADOConnection1.BeginTrans;

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try//do some database//updating, deleting or inserting

ADOConnection1.CommitTrans;except

on E:Exception do ADOConnection1.RollbackTrans;end;//try

end;

As you can see, using transactions in Delphi ADO is rather simple. When you call CommitTrans, thecurrent transaction ends and, if possible, all changes are saved. However, if the database is unable tosave any one of the changes, then none of them are saved. In this latter case when a saving problemoccurs, the CommitTrans method throws an exception, we catch it in the except part and call theRollbackTrans to cancel any changes made during the current transaction.

Even though it is possible, it is NOT advisable to start, commit or rollback a transaction in differentevent handlers (button clicks, for example). Windows are event driven, if a user starts a transactionwithin a button click procedure, you must be sure he will try to commit it. Thus, the longer a transactionis active, the higher is the probability that transaction will conflict with another when you attempt tocommit any changes.

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Deploying Delphi ADO database applications − DBCourse/Chapter 23

It is time to make your Delphi ADO database application available for others to run. Once you have created a Delphi ADObased solution, the final step is to successfully deploy it to the user's computer.

Once you have created a Delphi ADO based solution, the final step is to successfully deploy it to theuser's computer. This is the topic will cover in this chapter of the free Delphi ADO database course.

What is required by a given application varies, depending on the type of application. Each project maycontain several executable files, and a number of supporting files, such as DLLs, and package files. Inmost cases you'll only have one executable to install on a target computer − your application'sexecutable file − Delphi produces applications wrapped in compact exe files, so called standaloneWindows application.

Applications that access databases involve special installation considerations beyond copying theapplication’s executable file onto the target computer.

When deploying database applications that use ADO, you need to be sure that MDAC version 2.1 orlater is installed on the system where you plan to run the application. MDAC is automatically installedwith software such as Windows 98 / 2000 and Internet Explorer version 5 or later. No other deploymentsteps are required.

ADO on Windows 95If your client's computer has Windows 95 you may get a warning indicating that you need DCOM95 toinstall MDAC, since there is no support for ADO in Windows 95. Once you install DCOM95, you'll canproceed and install MDAC. Here's a tip how to find the OS version.

MS Data Version CheckerOne of the tools that might be handy is the Microsoft's Component Checker. The Component Checkertool is designed to help you determine installed version information and diagnose installation issueswith the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC).

The database fileThe data files (in our case an MS Access database), must be made available to the application. Youmake it available by simply copying (an "empty") the MDB file to the client computer. The process mustbe done before the user first start the application. Each time you send an updated exe file, if thestructure of the database has not changed, you do not need to redeploy the MDB file.

The connection stringObviously, when creating database applications that are to be run on various machines, the connectionto the data source should not be hard−coded in the executable. In other words, the database file maybe located anywhere on the user's computer − the connection string used in the TADOConnectionobject must be created at run time. One of the suggested places to store the path to the database isthe Windows Registry. In general to create a connection string at run time you have to a) place the FullPath to the database in Registry; and b) each time you start your application, read the Registry,"create" the ConnectionString and Open the ADOConnection. Here's a sample code.

Is that all? This seams to easyYes, when described by words it seems very easy, just copy the exe file, the mdb file and be sure theclient computer has MDAC. Of course, the first time you try to deploy your state−of−the−art databasesolution you'll bump into a wall. How to copy a file on another computer to a folder like '\ProgramFiles\YOUR COMPANY\PROJECT NAME\ApplicationName.exe'? There is an answer that might solvemost of the problems, the installation tools. The Install Sheild Express that comes with some Delphi

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versions can be used to create an installation application. This tool gives your users the ability to selectwhere to install your application, let's the user decide what parts of the application would be installed(exe, help, mdb, ...) and makes the process of creating a Project group in the Start menu easy.Creating insulation applications with IE Express is not hard nor is it trivial. I'll leave this for some futurearticle.

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TOP ADO programming TIPS − DB Course/Chapter 25

Collection of frequently asked questions, answers, tips and tricks about ADO programming.

This chapter of free Delphi/ADO DB course offers specific recommendations to help improve andspeed up the development of your database applications made with Delphi and ADO.

Our intention is to update this chapter dynamically with new tips, and code suggestions. If you have atip (or a question) on (Delphi) ADO programming feel free to add it to this page.Note that some of the questions you might ask are most likely already answered through the chaptersof this Course.

Access, ADOExpress, dbGo

My clients do not have Access on their machines, will my Delphi / ADO application work?In general: what ever database you create (Paradox or Access) the users of your software do not needto have MS Access or Paradox on their machines. When using Access with ADO, MS provides MDAC(components to access an Access database).

I have Delphi 5 Professional, where is ADOExpress?Either you'll need to buy at least Delphi 6 Professional, or try with some third party ADO VCLcomponents

Connecting to data stores

How do I connect to a MS Access 2000 database?ADOConnection.ConnectionString :='Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;DataSource=C:\MyDatabase.mdb;Persist Security Info=False';

How do I connect to a password protected MS Access 2000 database?ADOConnection.ConnectionString := 'Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Jet OLEDB:DatabasePassword=XXXXXX;DataSource=C:\MyDatabase.mdb;Persist Security Info=False';

What provider should I use for MS AccessFor MS Access 97 use Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.3.51For MS Access 2000 use Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0

How do I connect to a dBase database?ADOConnection.ConnectionString :='Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;DataSource=C:\MyDatabase.mdb;Extended Properties="dBase5.0;"';

How do I connect to a Paradox database?ADOConnection.ConnectionString :='Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;DataSource=C:\MyDatabase.mdb;Extended Properties="Paradox7.X;"';

How do I connect to a MS Access database on a CD (read only) drive?ADOConnection.Mode := cmShareExclusive;

Data retrieving and manipulation

How do I use multiword table / field names (spaces in Table or Field name)?Enclose multiword names in [ ] brackets:ADOQuery1.SQL.Text := 'SELECT [Last Name], [First Name] FROM [Address Book]';

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How do I use constant fields in an SQL query?ADOQuery1.SQL.Text := 'SELECT ''2002'', [First Name], Salary FROM Employess';

How do I delete all records in a table?ADOQuery1.SQL.Text := 'DELETE * FROM TableName';

Why do I keep getting a "−1" for the RecordCount propertyIf you need the RecordCount to be correct, set the CursorType to something other thanctOpenForwardOnly.

I'm using AutoNumber for Primary Key field to make every record unique. If I want to read orEdit some ADOTable record after one was appended (and Post−ed) I get en error: "Thespecified row could not be located for updating. Some values may have been changed since itwas last read". Why?After every new record you should use:

var bok: TBookmarkStr;beginbok:=adotable1.Bookmark;adotable1.Requery();adotable1.Bookmark:=bok;end;

How do I create a disconnected ADO recordset? I want to run a query, pick the data and deletesome records but not physically.In order to create a disconnected ADO recordset, you must first set the ADODataSets CursorLocationproperty to "clUseClient". Then open the Recordset. Then set the ADODatasets Connection to Nil. Donot close the ADODataset.

How do I retrieve a system information, for example, list of tables, fields (columns), indexesfrom the database?TADOConnection object has an OpenSchema method that retrieves system information like list oftables, list of columns, list of data types and so on. The following example shows how to fill anADODataSet (DS) with a list of all indexes on a table (TableName):var DS:TADODataSet;...ADOConnection.OpenSchema(siIndexes, VarArrayOf([Unassigned, Unassigned, Unassigned,Unassigned, TableName]), EmptyParam, DS);

How can I improve the performance of my Ado application (like speed up query data retrieval)?. Avoid returning too many fields. ADO performance suffers as a larger number of fields are returned.For example using "SELECT * FROM TableName" when TableName has 40 fields, and you reallyneed only 2 or 3 fields. Choose your cursor location, cursor type, and lock type with care. There is no single cursor type youshould always use. Your choice of cursor type would depend on the functionality you want likeupdatability, cursor membership, visibility and scrollability. Opening a keyset cursor may take time forbuilding the key information if you have a lot of rows in the table whereas opening a dynamic cursor ismuch faster.. Release your dynamically created ADO objects ASAP.. Check your SQL expression: when joining tables with Where t1.f1 = t2.f1 and t2.f2 = t2.f2 it isimportant that f1 and f2 as fields are set to be indexed.

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